Playing for the USA Men’s Basketball Team in the Olympics is an ultimate honor. The feeling of donning a USA jersey alongside the cream of the basketball talent in the world is unrivaled. But many still want to know why Joel Embiid chose the USA over his native country Cameroon and France. For the Team USA, the choice is obvious for USA’s national squad. He has what it takes to be one of the best in the world. He is the reigning MVP after all. His announcement to opt for Team USA has mutual benefits and paves the way for an Olympic gold.

When LeBron James decided to form an “Avengers” style of superteam alongside Stephen Curry, it was no joke. In that wake, Embiid is over the moon to be a part of such a rich assemblage.

Joel Embiid reveals why he joined Team USA

There are many who wonder why the reigning MVP chose Team USA. The Center explained why he made the decision and he said, “Obviously, it was tough”. He stated, “I really wanted to participate in the Olympics. That’s been a goal and dream of mine. You add that with the fact that my son is American. And I have been here for such a long time. I feel like for the last few years, the decisions have been made based of my family, my son. And you know, having the chance to represent a country like USA. My son being born here”. 

Embiid has been in the USA for 13-odd years. He started his journey as a high-schooler at Montverde Academy. Then he played a year for the University of Kansas alongside Wiggins. He has been a part of the Philadelphia 76ers for more than nine years. Therefore, he has now spent a great chunk of his adult life in the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”. He has made millions in this place and, of course, he feels an integral part of society as someone who also generates millions of profits for the country and the franchise alike. 

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There are other reasons why he had this choice. One of them is Cameroon’s road towards the Olympics.

An Olympic Gold in basketball is just a dream for Cameroon

Embiid did live in Yaounde, the capital city of the nation, for his first 16 years. He spent his childhood and a major part of his youth in this place. However, the national basketball team is light-years behind the top-ranked squads. Cameroon has never made the men’s basketball tournament of the Olympics. The chances to win gold with such a squad are thus almost negligible in the face of forces like the USA, Spain, Australia, Germany, Canada, etc. 

However, Embiid’s native nation did win its first continental title and is now among the teams in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments(FOQT). But the road is too far from the USA which is in the “Avengers” mode. Embiid has had grueling years in the NBA, never making even a Conference final despite being such a dominant force. And he would want to win at least the highest honor when it comes to the top stage.

In the face of that, are Cameroon fans feeling snubbed?

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