Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid had a choice of playing for one of three teams at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he opted to play for Team USA.
While that decision was a huge win for the embattled United States Men's Basketball team, it was a considerable loss for countries France and Cameroon.
Speaking for the first time since Embiid's crucial decision to join Team USA, French basketball federation president Jean-Pierre Siutat told reporters at a press conference, "We met Joel together with [French basketball figure and ex-NBA player] Boris Diaw in March of 2022."
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"But we didn't ask for that meeting. He had shown interest in playing for France, and we helped him get French citizenship upon his request," Siutat added.
The French basketball federation prexy said they never demanded anything from the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player but did throw shade on that request.
"I'm just sorry that we have spent so much time and energy on a file that should never have been opened," Siutat rued.
Embiid became a French citizen in 2022 and appeared set to suit up for France at the 2024 Olympics. Had that gone through, it would have seen the 7-foot center team up with another young cager, Victor Wembanyama.
It was earlier this month when the six-time All-Star officially committed to play for Team USA, CBS Sports reported. Embiid got his US citizenship in September 2022, a few months after securing his French citizenship.
Embiid decided to join the United States basketball squad to help them bounce back after finishing fourth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, ESPN reported.
With his desire to join Team USA, the Americans will look formidable if stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, among others, stay true to their word of donning the USA Basketball colors at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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