Joel Embiid decided to play for Team USA against France and Cameroon at the Olympics and reinforced a lineup full of NBA stars, including LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Embiid received French citizenship in July 2022 and American citizenship a few months later. In October 2023, he decided that he would play for the US national team at the Olympics for his son.
Embiid said he's ready to accept fans' dissatisfaction.
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Joel Embiid of the United States during warm-ups before a game against Germany in preparation for the Paris Olympics at the O2 Arena on July 22, 2024, in London. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“I expect a lot of boos, but I'm actually loving it. It's nothing I haven't seen before,” Embiid said in an interview with The New York Times.
“It makes you want to try harder to shut them up. There's nothing better. They boo you, you hit a great shot and the whole stadium goes silent. That's the best feeling. You look around and think, 'I can't hear anything anymore, it's time to go home.'”
American shot put star Ryan Crouser praises Paris Olympics for its unifying spirit: 'Let's cheer for the same uniform'
Joel Embiid of the U.S. men's national team during a practice at the Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan on July 25, 2024 in Paris. (Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
The U.S. men's Olympic basketball team has already had two major tests in exhibition games in hopes of building chemistry before the games actually begin.
The United States barely edged out South Sudan over the weekend and narrowly defeated Germany.
The Americans will begin their quest for the gold medal on Sunday against Serbia. The team will then face South Sudan again three days later.
Team USA's Joel Embiid speaks to the media after a game against Team Germany as part of the USA Basketball Showcase 2024 on July 22, 2024, in London at The O2 Arena. (Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Before the Olympics begin, James will be the men's flag bearer.
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