Joel Embiid
Joel Hans Embiid was born on the 16th of March 1994 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He grew up playing volleyball and soccer before switching to basketball at age 15. His early life took a sharp turn when Luc Mbah a Moute discovered him at a local camp. Mbah a Moute is a fellow native of Yaoundé who had already made it to the NBA. This connection allowed Embiid to move to the United States at age 16. He enrolled at Montverde Academy but transferred after one year due to limited playing time. He then attended The Rock School in Gainesville, Florida. As a senior there, he led his team to a 33, 4 record and won the state championship. He averaged 13.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game during that season.
Embiid committed to Kansas University in November 2012 as a five-star recruit. He played alongside Andrew Wiggins for one season with the Jayhawks. On the 13th of February 2014, he became one of 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year award. During the 2013, 14 season, he appeared in 28 games averaging 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds. A stress fracture in his back occurred in March 2014. This injury caused him to miss both the Big 12 tournament and the NCAA tournament. Despite this setback, he was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers on the 20th of June 2014. Surgery on a broken navicular bone followed shortly after. He underwent another surgery on the 18th of August 2015 which ruled out his chances for the 2015, 16 season. His NBA debut finally arrived on the 26th of October 2016 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 2016, 17 season marked Embiid's first full year of professional play despite multiple setbacks. He recorded six points and four rebounds in his preseason debut against the Boston Celtics. In his regular-season opener, he posted 20 points and seven rebounds in a loss to the Thunder. By November, he had earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors twice. On the 19th of November, he scored a career-high 26 points against the Phoenix Suns. An MRI revealed a torn meniscus in his left knee on the 11th of February 2017. This injury forced him to miss the rest of the season. He underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on the 24th of March 2017. Despite playing only 31 games, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team at the end of that year. The nickname "the Process" emerged during this era as fans embraced his slow start.
Embiid signed a five-year contract worth $148 million on the 10th of October 2017. He became the first Philadelphia player selected as an All-Star starter since Allen Iverson in the 2009, 10 season. His scoring output grew significantly over the next few years. On the 15th of November 2017, he scored a then-career high 46 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. In the 2021, 22 season, he averaged 30.6 points per game to win the NBA scoring title. This made him the first center to lead the league in scoring since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000. He repeated this feat in the 2022, 23 season with an average of 33.1 points. Embiid won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award on the 2nd of May 2023. He also became the fifth 76er ever to capture league MVP honors. His performance included multiple games with 50 or more points during that campaign.
Despite individual success, the Philadelphia 76ers faced repeated early playoff exits. The team lost to the Toronto Raptors in seven games during the 2018 playoffs despite Embiid's strong play. They were eliminated in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks in 2020 and the Boston Celtics in 2022. Embiid suffered various injuries including a thumb surgery in April 2022 and a concussion later that month. Knee issues continued to plague his career trajectory into the 2024, 25 season. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on the 11th of April 2024. In the 2024 playoffs, he averaged 33.0 points but the team still lost to the New York Knicks in six games. These physical challenges have defined much of his professional narrative alongside his scoring achievements.
Embiid was eligible to compete for Cameroon, France, and the United States national teams. He received French citizenship in July 2022 after speaking with President Emmanuel Macron. He became a U.S. citizen in September 2022 as well. Despite being courted by France, he committed to Team USA for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He stated he wanted to win a gold medal for his son who was born in the U.S. During the tournament, he faced booing from French fans due to his decision. He helped Team USA secure the gold medal while averaging 11.2 points per game over five contests. His commitment honored his family and his fans who had supported him since arriving in America.
In March 2021, Embiid donated $100,000 to fight homelessness in Philadelphia using his All-Star Game winnings. This contribution earned him the NBA Cares Community Assist Award in April 2021. He founded Miniature Géant production studio in 2023 in partnership with LeBron James's SpringHill Company. The studio focuses on African storytelling with an initial emphasis on sports. Sarah Kazadi-Ndoye serves as the creative head of the company. In 2024, Embiid announced a sneaker deal with Skechers. The company also developed projects including a documentary about Memphis Depay and a film called Backline. Production began in 2025 with filming split between Nigeria and the United States. These ventures highlight his efforts beyond basketball to support African narratives and communities.
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Common questions
When and where was Joel Embiid born?
Joel Hans Embiid was born on the 16th of March 1994 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He grew up playing volleyball and soccer before switching to basketball at age 15.
How did Joel Embiid get discovered for basketball?
Luc Mbah a Moute discovered Joel Embiid at a local camp while both were natives of Yaoundé. This connection allowed Embiid to move to the United States at age 16 to pursue his career.
What major injuries affected Joel Embiid's early NBA career?
Joel Embiid suffered a stress fracture in his back in March 2014 that caused him to miss the Big 12 tournament and the NCAA tournament. He also underwent surgery on a broken navicular bone shortly after being drafted and another surgery on the 18th of August 2015 which ruled out his chances for the 2015, 16 season.
Why is Joel Embiid called the Process?
The nickname the Process emerged during the 2016, 17 season as fans embraced Joel Embiid's slow start due to multiple injuries. Despite playing only 31 games, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team at the end of that year.
When did Joel Embiid win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award?
Joel Embiid won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award on the 2nd of May 2023. He became the fifth Philadelphia 76er ever to capture league MVP honors with an average of 33.1 points per game during the 2022, 23 season.
Which national team does Joel Embiid play for in international competition?
Joel Embiid committed to Team USA for the 2024 Olympics in Paris despite receiving French citizenship in July 2022. He helped Team USA secure the gold medal while averaging 11.2 points per game over five contests.