Joel Embiid started playing basketball only at 15 years old. Only 15 years old!
Originating from Cameroon, Joel Embiid was surrounded by a community that prioritized soccer as the main sport. It is known that there is not the so-called “golden ticket” out of Cameroon through basketball. He started playing volleyball due to the fact that he was over 6 foot 10 inches but then became fascinated with basketball. He became inspired by Hakeem Olajowin and fell in love with basketball.
Just by chance at a basketball camp in Cameroon in 2011, Luc Mbah a Moute, an NBA player discovered Joel Embiid. He moved to Florida at Montverde Academy and it wasn’t an easy transition for him. The only English he knew was “Good Morning.”He was able to attend Kansas where he became a top ranked recruit. He eventually declared for the NBA draft. Arthur Embiid, his 13 year old younger brother, wanted to watch him make his debut but he couldn’t since Joel got hurt. In between his actual debut and the draft, his brother was killed in a car crash.
Now, Joel is a 6x NBA all star, NBA Scoring Champion, and the face of the Philadelphia 76ers. His journey to becoming one of the all time greats exemplifies how anything is possible with hard work, determination, and perseverance. With his recent profound success we question why America isn’t following a better scouting process for these hidden gems. We have never seen a greater influx of European superstars dominating the NBA. It is astonishing that the top 10 NBA players consist of at least 5 global superstars. From the Dream Team in 1992, we see how the game has expanded, and we need to continue to embrace this great trend. Each player that has made his way to their franchises have permanently changed the trajectory of the team for the foreseeable future.
His profound impact on the 76ers in terms of rankings in the NBA and Philadelhia’s market is impeccable. In 2014, the 76ers were valued at $469 million, and now they are worth $3.15 billion dollars. The cornerstone and face of the franchise is one of the main reasons for this tremendous growth. Not only has Joel helped build and expand the 76ers, he has built meaningful connections with all people in the 76ers community.
Since being with the 76ers family, Joel has created a profound connection with the community. When times get hard, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joel pledged over $500,000 to help all employees that are part of the organization. The way in which Luc Mbah a Moute found Joel Embiid gives hope to many young people from Africa to become an inspiration as Joel Embiid. Cameroon borned and raised leaves millions of young children with the hope they can be the next icon. The NBA needs to continue embracing the European route of bringing in superstars and changing all franchises going forward. The past AAU route is starting to get old and European superstars are taking over fast and they are not looking back. What we can learn from Joel Embiid’s journey is to trust the process.
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