Joel Embiid Received Warning From France For Olympic Games
The French Federation of Basketball has given Joel Embiid till today to decide whether or not he will represent France in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The center for the Philadelphia 76ers is a citizen of three nations: Cameroon, where he was born, the US, and France both of them are actively pursuing him for their national teams.
Both teams suffered defeats at the FIBA World Cup, the United States finished fourth after falling to Canada in the play-off for third place, while France was eliminated in the first round, which is one of the most egregious failures in French basketball history. It would be a remarkable signing in advance of the Olympic Games to secure the NBA MVP from the previous season.
But the French Federation is unwilling to allow the situation to wind up like Paolo Banchero‘s scenario with Italy, where the player ultimately chose to play for the United States in the most recent World Cup.
Circumstances are sensitive
As mentioned by Jean-Pierre Siutat, President of the Federation, they have set a deadline for Embiid to decide by October 10 to address this.
“In any case, it will happen very soon. We hope so and I think he knows that. We could have an answer by October 10. We have set this deadline. I want him to come. We are working on it, we have a strong desire to do it. He knows that. We had the opportunity to discuss it with him and we are waiting for a decision.”
Joel Embiid
If Joel Embiid chooses to sign with France, he will team up with Victor Wembanyama, who has already expressed his intention to attend the Olympic Games, which will be held on French land. Together, they will be a formidable combo.
