Center/Power Forward Joel Embiid excels at NBA Basketball. But to do so, he has had to achieve seven dimensions of wellness
Joel Embiid is destined to achiever great things in the NBA.
But, to do so, he must possess three things to achieve great deeds. The first is the genetics: the physical superiority in that sport – whether strength, height, agility, endurance, or speed. The second is the desire – that raw aching hunger to climb when everything within and without says “rest here”. The third is that balance that we all seek, that we spend nearly all our lives to find – the seven dimensions of wellness. That is a tall order for someone who has been journeying in the direction of his dream from a very young age.
Cameroon Is Little Africa
The journey of Joel Embiid’s professional basketball career is a journey that few of us could even begin. This was not something that began after he had exhausted the culture and riches of the beautiful nation of Cameroon.
Cameroon is partially a French-speaking nation, rich in the diverse cultures of some 250 indigenous populations. Cameroon is called “Little Africa” due to its diverse geography. If you want to explore all of the diversity of Africa, but must choose one nation, choose Cameroon. There you will find a nation with coastline, mountains, grass plains, forest, rainforests and desert.
If you have the occasion to dine at a Cameroon restaurant, do so with great enthusiasm. You may find you enjoy the tasted of brochettes- a variation of a kebab, or various soups like Sangah or Peanut Soup, or Suya – marinated beef skewers. This is just a taste of the rich heritage of Cameroon. It’s just a sliver of the rich culture that is part of Joel Embiid.
Watch The Video
This was a journey that began with his move to the United States of America, some 6,000 miles in the making. And he did it at the advanced age of 16 years. But to get to that point required two things. The first step was to ignite the spark within him. A spark of desire that would burn so hot that he would be drawn to it like a moth to a flame. That spark burst to life
Young Joel Embiid was born in 16 March 1994 in the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon, to Colonel Thomas Embiid and his wife, Christine. Born to a soccer nation, but blessed with height, he originally planned to use his height advantage to play professional volleyball in Europe. Volleyball was his father’s choice.
Discovered
But he was discovered by his basketball coach, Guy Moudio, coach of the Kossengwe Basketball Club. Perhaps it was his height (well over 6 feet even at that early age), perhaps it was the effervescent personality. But once discovered, Moudio built the pyre which would eventually ignite in Joel Embiids soul.
Moudio saw a young man gifted with the physical attributes to dominate basketball, at least in the level of competition found in Cameroon. But young Embiid did not know the moves of a big man. In essence, he was a blank slate, begging to be shown the light.
He found his revelation in the form of a video tape of NBA centers from his coach, particularly the moves of one Hakeem Olajuwon. And the day after watching tapes, young Joel Embiid could emulate those same moves on the basketball court.
The Journey Begins For The 16 Year Old
From that moment on, his mind was made up that he wanted to play profession basketball. Not just participate, but to dominate the sport against the world’s fiercest competition. And he showed signs of doing so, thanks to that video, he was able to model his game after NBA Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon.
But Joel Embiid was far from the NBA. He needed one more thing – a door to open. And that door did open when Embiid was discovered at a basketball camp sponsored by Luc Mbah a Moute, a fellow native of Yaounde and an NBA player.
Up Up And Away
With Mbah a Moute serving as mentor, Embiid moved to the United States at the age of 16 to devote himself to becoming a professional basketball player.
Initially, Joel Embiid enrolled at Montverde Academy, which was Luc Mbah a Moute’s alma mater. Unfortunately, once there, he didn’t get enough playing time. And so after one year, he transferred to the Rock School in Gainesville, Florida. As a senior he led the team to a 33-4 record and state championship, by averaging 13.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
He was rated as a five-star recruit according to Rivals.com and committed to Kansas in November 2012.
Shooting Star
It’s at this point that most of you will pick up on the story of Joel Embiid. His was the star center at the University of Kansas. Projected to be the top draft pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid was discovered to have developed stress fractures in his back. On top of that, and even more concerning, was the presence of a fractured Navicular bone. Those fractures have become the bane of NBA big men.
That risk was too great in the eyes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and in the eyes of the Milwaukee Bucks.
It was not too great a risk for the Philadelphia 76ers however. In fact, Embiid learned after one year that he needed a second surgery. In this occasion, the Philadelphia 76ers spared no expense to consult world experts on the topic. The team considered all treatment plants and determined the best course was the second surgery. Finally, to hold the rehab of that foot for the second year both in the USA and at Aspetar Clinic in Qatar.
It was this final two year rehab that brought everything full circle. A young man in a new country far from home and far from family was hurled at the NBA full force. Two years to adapt, to learn, to see behind the curtain before taking center stage was as meaningful to his development as any other stage of his basketball career.
Journey Within A Journey
But all of these events, factors, opportunities, and setbacks would have meant nothing if Joel Embiid had not made the journey within himself. To do that, Joel Embiid needed to meet the seven needs inside of him.
So what are they? The seven states of wellness are physical, emotional, environment, intellectual, social, occupational, and spiritual.
Seven Bridges Road
Okay great. What does all of this mean?
Physical is pretty straight-forward, it’s staying healthy and remaining fit. Emotional is the ability to understand and express our emotions. Social is our ability to relate and connect to one another. Environment is our respect for the world around us. Intellectual is our ability to accept new ideas and adapt them to better ourselves. Occupation is the ability to find fulfillment in our jobs, make a positive impact in the workplace, but maintain a health balance. And Spiritual is that ability to be at peace, recognize a higher power, and work towards goals beyond self.
Joel Embiid is the heir apparent leader to this team. But in order to lead others, he had to find himself. He has done that.
Why Joel Embiid’s Inner Wellness Is Important To A 76ers Fan
The pressure on an NBA Star is tremendous. Place that star in Philadelphia, with the combination of intelligence and passion in the bleachers, and you have just doubled it. Sit that star for two years before allowing him to play and you’ve just magnified that pressure 100 fold.
Not just from the fans of Philadelphia, but from disgruntled NBA fans around the planet who watched as the Philadelphia 76ers trusted and cared for Joel Embiid like a member of the family, forced to wonder why their team could not do so.
Joel Embiid is family, and has been for two years. But even so, professional athletes buckle under pressure when balance is off. Some block fans on social media. Some engage in fights with fans of opposing teams. Some cope through abuse – whether their spouse or drugs or alcohol. Some simply go on national media and thank their hands.
Athletes who are searching for inner wellness do not have the happiest endings to their careers
Balance Means Longevity
But don’t expect that from Joel Embiid. Much like the great ones from Philadelphia before him, Joel Embiid has the intensity and passion of Philadelphia when competing, but the ability to connect with the fans when not. And it’s his sense of self that gives him the means to do so.
When teammate Nerlens Noel was publicly venting frustration, it was Joel Embiid who spoke up and served as the catalyst for compromise. It was Joel Embiid who stepped into the path of notoriety when he adopted the nickname “The Process” to honor the Philadelphia executive who stood by him.
It’s that balance that ensures that Joel Embiid understands the fragility of greatness, and the absolute rarity of realizing that moment. That is why he pushes himself to achieve so much. That is why he will push his teammates to achieve so much as well.
Let us celebrate the new year and the fortunes that we hope will shower upon us all. But do not forget to be grateful for the burning desire in the heart of a 16 year old Cameroon. Make it a point to welcome Joel Embiid today.
Next: New Year’s Resolutions for Philadelphia 76ers Fans
He’s come a long way to play for the Philadelphia 76ers, in many ways.