Joel Embiid Chooses Team USA for Olympics, Joining NBA Stars

In a significant decision for the upcoming Olympics, Joel Embiid has opted to represent Team USA, turning down offers to play for France and Cameroon. This choice comes after Embiid, who acquired French citizenship in July 2022 and U.S. citizenship shortly thereafter, expressed his desire to play for the U.S. for the sake of his son. His commitment adds to a star-studded roster that includes basketball legends like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Embiid is prepared for the challenges that come with playing for the U.S., including the potential backlash from fans. In an interview with The New York Times, he acknowledged the likelihood of facing boos from the crowd but emphasized that he thrives on that energy. "It just makes you want to go even harder so you can shut them up," he stated, highlighting the satisfaction of silencing critics with his performance on the court. As the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team gears up for the competition, they have already faced two tough exhibition games, narrowly defeating South Sudan and Germany. These matches are crucial for building team chemistry ahead of their gold medal pursuit, which kicks off against Serbia on Sunday. Following that, they will face South Sudan again just three days later. In a ceremonial role, LeBron James is set to be the flag bearer for the U.S. men's team, symbolizing the unity and spirit of American athletes as they prepare for the Paris Olympics.