Joel Embiid born 16 March 1994, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
After one year of college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks, he was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the 76ers.
Multiple foot and knee injuries delayed his debut for two seasons until 2016–17, when he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team despite playing only 31 games.
Embiid has received five All-Star selections. He has nicknamed himself “the Process” in response to a refrain from 76ers fans during the Sam Hinkie era to “trust the process”
Joel Embiid Early Life
Embiid was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to military officer Thomas Embiid and his wife, Christine.
He played volleyball and soccer in his childhood and originally planned to play professional volleyball in Europe but started playing basketball at age 15, modeling his game after NBA Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon.
Embiid was discovered at a basketball camp by Luc Mbah a Moute, a fellow native of Yaoundé and an NBA player.
With Mbah a Moute as his mentor, Embiid moved to the United States at age 16 to devote himself to becoming a professional basketball player.
Embiid enrolled at Montverde Academy, Mbah a Moute’s alma mater, but transferred after his first year due to a lack of playing time. He then attended The Rock School, a Christian academy, in Gainesville, Florida.
As a senior, he led their team to a 33–4 record and state championship, averaging 13.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
Embiid was a five-star recruit according to Rivals.com and committed to Kansas in November 2012.
Embiid attended the University of Kansas for one year. On 13 February 2014, he was named one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year. In 2013–14, he played 28 games, averaging 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game.
He had over 15 points in seven games and over 5 blocks in six games. He subsequently earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named second-team All-Big 12.
Embiid suffered a stress fracture in his back in March 2014. He missed that year’s Big 12 tournament and NCAA Tournament. Kansas lost in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Embiid struggled with injuries but was drafted 3rd pick overall in the 2014 Nba draft but injuries and surgeries delayed him, in 2016 he was finally back for his rookie season after a long spell out.
On 10 October 2017, Embiid signed a five-year, $148 million designated rookie scale maximum contract extension with the 76ers, with the ability to earn an additional $30 million if he earns an All-NBA first-, second- or third-team selection, or is named MVP in 2017–18.
On 18 January, he was named a starter for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the first Philadelphia player selected as an All-Star starter since Allen Iverson in the 2009–10 season, and the first Sixers All-Star since Jrue Holiday in 2013.
On 31 October 2019, Embiid was suspended for two games without pay due to an altercation with Karl-Anthony Towns during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On 17 August 2021, Embiid signed a four-year, $196 million extension with the 76ers. Embiid missed nine games due to testing positive for COVID-19.
In his first game back, he scored 42 points and recorded 14 rebounds in a 121-120 double-overtime loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On 19 January 2022, Embiid matched his career high of 50 points, along with 12 rebounds and three blocks, in a 123–110 win over the Orlando Magic.
Joel Embiid Personal Life
His younger brother, Arthur, died on 16 October 2014 in Cameroon in a car crash. Embiid has a sister called Muriel
Embiid girlfriend
Embiid has been in a relationship with Brazilian model Anne de Paula since 2018. In September 2020, they welcomed their first child, a son.
Joel Embiid contract
On 17 August 2021, Embiid signed a four-year, $196 million extension with the 76ers.
Joel Embiid Height and weight
Embiid is listed as 7 feet (2.13m)
Joel Embiid injuries
Joel Embiid battled through multiple knee injuries during the 2020-2021 NBA season. Over the offseason, he had to recover from a torn meniscus, which he suffered in the first round of the playoffs last postseason.
Joel Embiid Embiid shoes
As most NBA players have their signature shoes, Embiid joined Under Armour and have since produced the Under Armour Embiid 1.
