Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid
Embiid with the 76ers in February 2018
No. 21 – Philadelphia 76ers
Position Center
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1994-03-16) 16 March 1994
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Nationality Cameroonian
Listed height 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight 250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school The Rock School
(Gainesville, Florida)
College Kansas (2013–2014)
NBA draft 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career 2014–present
Career history
2014–present Philadelphia 76ers
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Joel Hans Embiid (/dʒoʊˈɛl ɛmˈbiːd/ joh-EL em-BEED;[1][2] born 16 March 1994) 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 was named an All-Star in 2017–18. He has nicknamed himself "The Process" in response to a refrain from 76ers fans during the Sam Hinkie-era to "trust the process".[3][4][5][6]

Early life

Embiid was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to military officer Thomas Embiid[7] and his wife, Christine. He originally planned to play professional volleyball in Europe[8] but started playing basketball at age 15, modeling his game after NBA Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon.[7][8] Embiid was discovered at a basketball camp by Luc Mbah a Moute, a fellow native of Yaounde and an NBA player.[8][9] 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.[10]

Embiid enrolled at Montverde Academy, Mbah a Moute's alma mater, but transferred after his first year due to a lack of playing time.[8][11] Embiid then attended The Rock School, a Christian academy, in Gainesville, Florida.[11] 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.

He was a five-star recruit according to Rivals.com[12][13] and committed to Kansas in November 2012.[10]

College career

Embiid in 2014

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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] He missed that year's Big 12 tournament and NCAA Tournament. Kansas lost in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Professional career

Embiid practicing with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014

2014 NBA draft

On 9 April 2014, Embiid declared for the 2014 NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.[17] On 20 June 2014, he underwent surgery on a broken navicular bone in his right foot, and was subsequently ruled out for four to six months.[18] Six days later, he was selected with the third overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers.[19] That selection made him the third Cameroonian-born NBA player after Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje and Luc Mbah a Moute, as well as the highest selected player from Cameroon.[7]

Philadelphia 76ers (2014–present)

Injury-plagued seasons

On 26 August 2014, Embiid signed his rookie scale contract with the 76ers.[20][21] He was later ruled unlikely to play at all in the 2014–15 season due to the broken navicular bone in his foot.[22] After missing the entire 2014–15 season, it was announced on 13 June 2015 that Embiid had suffered a setback in his recovery after a CT scan revealed less healing than anticipated.[23] It was later determined that Embiid's chances of playing in the 2015–16 season were slim following a second round of surgery on his right foot on 18 August 2015.[24][25] He missed the entire 2015–16 season.

Rookie season (2016–17)

On 4 October 2016, Embiid started at center in the 76ers' first preseason game against the Boston Celtics.[26] In his first action, he recorded six points, four rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes en route to a 92–89 victory.[27]

On 26 October 2016, Embiid made his long-awaited NBA regular-season debut in the 76ers' season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 25 minutes as the starting center, he recorded 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in a 103–97 loss.[28] On 1 November, he recorded his first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in a 103–101 loss to the Orlando Magic.[29] On 11 November, his 25-point effort helped the 76ers claim their first win of the season, defeating the Indiana Pacers 109–105.[30] On 19 November, he scored a career-high 26 points in 20 minutes in a 120–105 win over the Phoenix Suns.[31] On 1 December, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October and November.[32] On 18 December, he set a new career high with 33 points in a 108–107 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[33] On 3 January 2017, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in December.[34]

On 11 January 2017, Embiid grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds in a 98–97 win over the New York Knicks.[35][36] On 23 January, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, 16 January through Sunday, 22 January.[37] Two days later, he was named in the World Team for the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge.[38] On 2 February 2017, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in January,[39] while also being named a Taco Bell Skills Challenge participant.[40] On 11 February 2017, it was revealed that Embiid had a torn meniscus in his left knee, but that surgery would not be required.[41] As a result of the injury, Embiid was ruled out of the All-Star Weekend festivities.[42] After initially ruling him out indefinitely on 27 February with swelling in his left knee,[43] the 76ers issued a statement two days later announcing that Embiid would miss the rest of the 2016–17 season, an MRI on his left knee having revealed that the area affected by the bone bruise had improved significantly while the previously identified meniscus tear appeared more pronounced.[44] On 24 March 2017, he underwent successful minor arthroscopic surgery to address the meniscus tear in his left knee.[45] At the season's end, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.[46]

First All-Star appearance (2017–18)

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.[47][48] In the 76ers' season opener against the Washington Wizards on 18 October, Embiid had 18 points and 13 rebounds in a 120–115 loss.[49] Five days later, he scored 30 points in a 97–86 win over the Detroit Pistons.[50] On 30 October, he had 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals in 25 minutes in a 115–107 win over the Houston Rockets, becoming just the third player to post such numbers in 25 minutes of play or less since 1983–84, joining Pau Gasol (2015) and Fat Lever (1990).[51] On 15 November, Embiid scored a career-high 46 points—the most by a Philadelphia player in 11 years—and grabbed 15 rebounds in a 115–109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[52] Embiid also had seven assists and seven blocked shots, making him the first NBA player with 40 points, seven assists and seven blocks in a game since Julius Erving against the Pistons in 1982.[52][53] Embiid shot 14 for 20 from the field and 16 of 19 at the free throw line, giving him the most points by a Sixers player since Allen Iverson scored 46 against the Chicago Bulls in 2006. In addition, the previous 35 times someone scored at least 44 for the 76ers, it was Iverson.[52]

Embiid dunking the basketball in 2018

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.[54] Later that day, he scored 26 points and matched a career best with 16 rebounds in an 89–80 win over the Boston Celtics.[54] He was subsequently named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between Monday, 15 January and Sunday, 21 January.[55] On 10 February, he had 29 points and tied a career high with 16 rebounds in a 112–98 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[56] Two days later, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between Monday, 5 February and Sunday, 11 February.[57] On 15 March, he scored 29 points in a 118–110 win over the New York Knicks, becoming the first Sixers player to notch 40 20-point performances in a season since Andre Iguodala in 2007–08.[58] A day later, on his 24th birthday, Embiid had 24 points and a career-high 19 rebounds in a 120–116 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[59] On 28 March against the Knicks, Embiid suffered an orbital fracture of his left eye.[60] He underwent surgery three days later, with a two-week return date the likely outcome.[61]

After missing the first two games of the 76ers' first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat with the left eye injury, Embiid made his playoff debut in Game 3 on 19 April. He helped the 76ers take a 2–1 lead in the series with a 128–108 win behind his 23 points.[62] Embiid helped the 76ers move on to the second round of the playoffs with a 4–1 defeat of the Heat, as he recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds in a 104–91 win in Game 5.[63] In Game 1 of the 76ers' second-round series against the Celtics, Embiid recorded 31 points and 13 rebounds in a 117–101 loss.[64] The 76ers went on to lose to the Celtics in five games, with Embiid recording 27 points and 12 rebounds in a 114–112 loss in Game 5.[65] Embiid said in his postgame press conference after Game 5 that he felt there should have been a foul called on his potential game-tying layup attempt with under 20 seconds left.[66] The NBA later confirmed that a foul should have been called on the play.[66]

National team career

Embiid is eligible to compete for Cameroon national basketball team.[67] On 7 February 2017, Embiid was named to the preliminary team to compete in the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket in the Republic of Congo,[68] with the group qualifier taking place in March, during the NBA regular season. Fellow Cameroon-born NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute has voiced his opinion on Embiid representing his country saying, "It would be great for our team, our country and Joel".[69] Embiid ultimately did not compete for Cameroon at AfroBasket 2017.[70]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 Philadelphia 313125.4.466.367.7837.82.1.92.520.2
2017–18 Philadelphia 636330.3.483.308.76911.03.2.61.822.9
Career 949428.7.478.327.7749.92.8.72.022.0
All-Star 1120.0.610.5001.0008.01.01.02.019.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018 Philadelphia 8834.8.435.276.70512.63.0.91.921.4
Career 8834.8.435.276.70512.63.0.91.921.4

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Kansas 282023.1.626.200.6858.11.4.92.611.2

Personal life

Embiid is the son of Thomas and Christine Embiid. His younger brother, Arthur, died on 16 October 2014 in Cameroon in a car crash.[71][72] He also has a younger sister named Muriel.[73] In addition to English, Embiid is fluent in French and Basaa.[74]

Embiid is known for his playful personality and social media presence, particularly for his trolling.[6][75][76] He is a teetotaler.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "76ers Media Guide 2017–18, page 98 (roster)" (PDF). NBA.com. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  2. ↑ "2016–17 NBA Pronunciation Guide (Start of Season)" (PDF). NBA.com. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  3. ↑ Aldridge, David (21 November 2016). "A process toward success: Joel Embiid era begins (at last) in Philly". NBA.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016. He is actually introduced in the starting lineup as "Joel, The Process, Embiid."
  4. ↑ Rappaport, Max (27 October 2016). "If Joel Embiid Is The Process, His Debut Proved We Should Trust Him". Complex. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  5. ↑ Jenkins, Lee (26 October 2016). "Joel Embiid: 'I'm The Process'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Shelburne, Ramona (12 December 2017). "How Joel Embiid is trolling the NBA". ESPN. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 Con, Jordan (27 June 2014). "Started From Yaoundé, Now He's Here". Grantland. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 DeCourcy, Mike (23 January 2014). "Joel Embiid's pursuit of hoops greatness not just a Dream". The Sporting News. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  9. ↑ "Report: Kansas basketball star Joel Embiid will enter NBA Draft". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  10. 1 2 Telep, Dave (13 November 2012). "Kansas lands recruit Joel Embiid". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  11. 1 2 Jenkins, Lee (26 October 2016). "Joel Embiid: 'I'm The Process'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  12. ↑ "KU's Embiid grows as a basketball player".
  13. ↑ "Rivals.com". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "2013–14 Men's Naismith Trophy Midseason 30". Naismith Awards. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  15. ↑ "Joel Embiid Stats". Sports-reference. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Goodman, Jeff (11 March 2014). "Joel Embiid out indefinitely". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Golliver, Ben (9 April 2014). "Kansas' Joel Embiid declares for 2014 NBA draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  18. ↑ Amico, Sam (21 June 2014). "No. 1 question: How far will Joel Embiid fall?". Fox Sports Ohio. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Sixers draft Joel Embiid at No. 3". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  20. ↑ "Joel Embiid Signs Rookie Deal With 76ers - RealGM Wiretap". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  21. ↑ "Sixers Sign Joel Embiid". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  22. ↑ "76ers Unsure If Joel Embiid Will Play At All This Season - RealGM Wiretap". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  23. ↑ "Statement from Sixers GM Sam Hinkie". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  24. ↑ Doshi, Sohil (19 August 2015). "Report: Joel Undergoes Second Surgery". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  25. ↑ "76ers center Embiid to miss season following foot surgery". Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  26. ↑ Harper, Zach (30 September 2016). "Joel Embiid will start his first career preseason game after two years inactive". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  27. ↑ Seltzer, Brian (4 October 2016). "Game Recap: Embiid, Saric Debuts Highlight 92-89 Win". NBA.com. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  28. ↑ "Westbrook, Thunder spoil Embiid's debut for 76ers". ESPN.com. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  29. ↑ "Magic rally from 18 down to top winless 76ers 103-101". ESPN.com. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Joel Embiid scores 25 to lead 76ers to first win of the season". ESPN.com. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  31. ↑ "Embiid scores career-high 26 as Sixers rout Suns 120-105". ESPN.com. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  32. ↑ "Joel Embiid Named Eastern Conference Rookie of The Month". NBA.com. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  33. ↑ "Embiid's career-high 33 points lift 76ers over Nets 108-107". ESPN.com. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  34. ↑ "Joel Embiid, Buddy Hield named Kia Rookies of the Month". NBA.com. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  35. ↑ "McConnell's jumper lifts Sixers past Knicks". Reuters. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  36. ↑ Seltzer, Brian (11 January 2017). "Game Recap: McConnell Beats Buzzer, Knicks". NBA.com. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  37. ↑ "Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard named NBA Players of the Week". NBA.com. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  38. ↑ "Minnesota's Towns and Philadelphia's Embiid headline roster for 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  39. ↑ "Sixers Center Joel Embiid Named NBA'S Eastern Conference Rookie Of The Month". NBA.com. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  40. ↑ "JOEL EMBIID NAMED TO TACO BELL SKILLS CHALLENGE". csnphilly.com. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  41. ↑ Bodner, Derek (11 February 2017). "Joel Embiid has a torn meniscus in his left knee". DerekBodner.com. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  42. ↑ "Denver's Jokic and Oklahoma City's Abrines to replace Philadelphia's Embiid in 2017 NBA All-Star Events". NBA.com. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  43. ↑ "Joel Embiid 'Out Indefinitely' With Swellness In Knee". cbslocal.com. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  44. ↑ "Joel Embiid | Medical Update". NBA.com. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  45. ↑ "Joel Embiid Undergoes Successful Surgery". NBA.com. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  46. ↑ Rohrbach, Ben (26 June 2017). "Draymond Green, Joel Embiid headline NBA's All-Defensive, All-Rookie team announcements". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  47. ↑ "Joel Embiid Agrees To Five-Year Contract Extension". NBA.com. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  48. ↑ Wojnarowski, Adrian (10 October 2017). "Joel Embiid agrees to 5-year, $148M deal with Sixers". ESPN.com. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  49. ↑ "John Wall scores 28 points, Wizards hold on to beat 76ers". ESPN.com. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  50. ↑ "Ben Simmons has triple-double in fourth game, Joel Embiid adds 30 in 76ers' win". ESPN.com. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  51. ↑ "Simmons helps 76ers beat Rockets 115-107". ESPN.com. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  52. 1 2 3 "Embiid's career-high 46 leads 76ers past Lakers 115-109". ESPN.com. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  53. ↑ SportsCenter (15 November 2017). "Joel Embiid is the first NBA player with 40+..." Twitter. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  54. 1 2 "Embiid scores 26, Sixers beat Celtics 89-90". ESPN.com. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  55. ↑ "Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". NBA.com. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  56. ↑ "Embiid has 29, Sixers use late run to beat Clippers, 112-98". ESPN.com. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  57. ↑ "Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Embiid Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". NBA.com. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  58. ↑ "Embiid, Simmons rally 76ers past Knicks, 118-110". ESPN.com. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  59. ↑ "Embiid leads 76ers past Nets". ESPN.com. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  60. ↑ "Joel Embiid Medical Update". NBA.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  61. ↑ Wojnarowski, Adrian (31 March 2018). "Joel Embiid has surgery to fix orbital bone fracture". ESPN.com. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  62. ↑ "Embiid scores 23, 76ers top Heat 128-108 for 2-1 series lead". ESPN.com. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  63. ↑ "Believe it! 76ers roll with Meek Mill past Heat in Game 5". ESPN.com. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  64. ↑ "Rozier (29 pts), Tatum (28) help Celtics beat 76ers 117-101". ESPN.com. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  65. ↑ "Celtics beat 76ers 114-112 in Game 5, advance to face Cavs". ESPN.com. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  66. 1 2 "NBA admits Joel Embiid was fouled by Celtics in closing seconds of Game 5". PhillyVoice. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
  67. ↑ "Meet Kansas' Joel Embiid, a Cameroon native turning into future NBA star". bleacherreport.com. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  68. ↑ "Joel Embiid named to Cameroon's preliminary roster for FIBA Afrobasket 2017". libertyballers.com. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  69. ↑ "Embiid, Mbah a Moute and Siakam headline cameroons for FIBA Afrobasket 2017". FIBA.com. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  70. ↑ "Cameroon". FIBA AfroBasket Senegal Tunisia. FIBA. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  71. ↑ Associated Press (16 October 2014). "Joel Embiid's brother dies in Africa". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  72. ↑ Haberstroh, Tom (10 March 2016). "TrueHoop Presents: The man charged with healing Joel Embiid". ESPN. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  73. ↑ "Joel Embiid - 2013-14 Men's Basketball". University of Kansas Athletics. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  74. ↑ King, Jason (17 December 2013). "Meet Kansas' Joel Embiid, a Cameroon Native Blossoming into a Top NBA Prospect". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  75. ↑ staff (20 November 2017). "Joel Embiid takes troll game to next level in Philadelphia 76ers' win over Utah Jazz". NBA. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  76. ↑ "Of course Joel Embiid isn't worried about players going after him for his trolling". 22 November 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
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