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[Saba Sports News] When Joel Embiid chose Team USA over France for the 2024 Olympics, it caused some confusion and outrage in the basketball community. Recently, Embiid clarified his decision to reporters.
“I felt rushed because France set an ultimatum for my decision. I didn’t know the timeline and saw it on Twitter, which surprised me,” Embiid said via the NYT Podcast. “Cameroon was always my first choice. If they qualify, I’ll play for my home country because it’s my dream to be in the Olympics. The historical and current relationship between France and Cameroon, and African countries in general, influenced my decision.”
Embiid, 30, was born in Yaounde, Cameroon, and moved to the U.S. to launch his basketball career. He gained French citizenship in July 2022 and was eligible to play for three countries this summer.
Though he initially chose France, he switched to Team USA at the last minute.
The historical ties between France and Cameroon date back to colonial times, with lingering tensions still present today. Given his family’s presence in Cameroon, Embiid prioritized their safety and decided against playing for France.
Had Cameroon qualified for the Olympics, Embiid would have played for them. With the choice between the USA and France, he chose Team USA. His presence on the roster has significantly strengthened the USA’s frontcourt, despite his average performance this summer.