Joel Embiid Is the Ultimate Test For the Philadelphia 76ers

Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie (far left) watches as center

Joel Embiid

(21) walks out of the tunnel on crutches prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid Is the Ultimate Test For the Philadelphia 76ers

A 7’0″ 250 pound center from the University of Kansas Jayhawks had put up an impressive freshman season. He averaged 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while blocking 72 shots to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. His success masked the fact that he was just in his fourth season of playing organized basketball. Just four years of it.   Through the first 14 games of the season, Embiid allowed 0.88 points per play and 50.0 FG% when he was defending the post. However, during the last 15 games, he allowed 0.55 points per play on 28.6% from the floor.

His success on the basketball court had come at a price, which was paid by his body.  He had struggled with back issues, and is now in his second full season of recuperation from a second surgery to his right foot.  Embiid, born in Yaounde Cameroon to Thomas and Christine Embiid, grew up playing soccer and volleyball in Cameroon, only decided to pursue basketball at the age of 15 in response to the success of Hakeem Olajuwon.   He was discovered by former Philadelphia 76er Luc Mbah A Moute, who is himself a fellow native of Yaounde Cameroon, and moved to the US at the age of 16.    He attended The Rock School, a christian academy in Gainesville Florida, and ultimately chose to attend Kansas, where he arrived with less fanfare than fellow freshmen Wiggins and Wayne Selden.

Embiid hurt his back while landing awkwardly during a game late in his freshman season, and missed the Jayhawks’ final two regular-season games and the Big 12 tournament. He also missed a victory over Eastern Kentucky and a season-ending loss to Stanford in the NCAA tournament, after which he said that he would have been able to play had Kansas advanced to the second weekend.  Joel Embiid played a total 28 games for the Jayhawks.

After drafting Nerlens Noel in 2013, Joel Embiid found himself sandwiched between Noel and the newly draft Jahlil Okafor in 2015. His reaction was worth a follow:

Embiid recovered quickly as he realized his initial comment might be interpreted as counter productive:

Of course, Jahlil Okafor’s father hails from Nigeria, another African nation.  Sam Hinkie will search the globe for players who exhibit superior basketball skills and intelligence.

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