While France and Team USA each hope to be able to count on his services during the next international competitions, Joel Embiid does not seem in a hurry to announce his decision concerning his sporting nationality. The pivot postponed any announcement until the end of the season.
This is a file that has kept fans of the French team in suspense since this summer. When Joel Embiid obtained French nationality, many saw it as a sign that the pivot would play with the Blues at the 2023 World Cup and especially at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. A case far from simple and which has raised some discussions within France, especially given the fact that Embiid has never lived in France. And then another thunderclap: Joel obtains American nationality. It was enough for the two nations to embark on a fight for the services of the All-Star pivot. Asked a few weeks ago Boris Diaw, manager of the Blues, had indicated that he was confident regarding seeing Jojo put on the jersey at the rooster. And then here we are at this December 9, 2022 and it is the very well informed Marc Stein who gives us the latest information.
Sixers star Joel Embiid tells me he is deferring all conversation regarding his international future until the offseason. Full story: https://t.co/quWakmYF42
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 9, 2022
You insider New York Times was very curious to know the end of the story and so he went straight to ask Embiid if his decision was made. This is the response of the now Franco-American-Cameroonian.
“I don’t want to talk regarding international stuff.”
This is clear and limpid but Stein nevertheless tried to find out why this subject was not debatable. Why not talk regarding it?
“Because it’s NBA season. I’m focused on our progress as a team and mine as a player. I’m focused on going to the playoffs and doing something there. I’ll worry regarding the rest later. Right now it’s regarding doing everything possible to win a title.”
The justification is legitimate and we will therefore have to be patient to know the colors defended by Embiid during the next international games. We recall that France recently brilliantly validated its ticket for the next World Cup by outclassing Bosnia. For the 2024 Olympics, no playoff will obviously be necessary since the Blues are automatically qualified as host country. It only remains to be seen whether Embiid will be in the tricolor camp in Paris or with the starry jersey on his shoulders. The mystery remains.
Rather France, rather United States for Joel Embiid? Still a few months of patience to discover the choice of the pivot of the Sixers.
Source texte : Marc Stein / New York Times
