Joel Embiid is a Cameroonian professional basketball player who is one of the few talented, resilient, optimistic and determined stars in the NBA. Though early in his career, he had seen his fair share of injuries and challenges, striving for excellence in the NBA, as an ever-enduring fellow, he has refused to succumb to its toils. He has struggled with personal tragedies which had occurred during trying moments. Despite all this, Joel Embiid has courageously risen above the gloom to become one of basketball’s fastest rising stars and continues to make a name for himself in the game. We give a detailed masterpiece in our Joel Embiid biography facts, childhood and personal life.
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Joel Embiid Biography Facts
Full Name: | Joel Hans Embiid |
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Nickname: | JoJo; The Process |
Born: | March 16, 1994 (age 25) |
Place of Birth: | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
Nationality: | Cameroonian |
Occupation: | Basketball Player |
Current Team: | Philadelphia 76ers |
Position: | Center |
Playing Career: | 2014–present |
Net Worth: | $35 million |
Height: | 7 feet 0 inches |
Shoe Size: | 17 |
Weight: | 250 lb (113 kg) |
Education: | The Rock School; Kansas University |
Parents: | Thomas Embiid (father), Christine Embiid (mother) |
Siblings: | Arthur Embiid; Muriel Embiid |
Partner: | Anne de Paula (girlfriend) |
Children: | N/A |
Zodiac Sign: | Pisces |
Joel Embiid Childhood and Early Life
Born in Cameroon’s Yaoundé, Embiid is the oldest of three children Thomas Embiid and Christine Embiid gave birth to.
Embiid’s parents wanted young Embiid to be a doctor. Though Embiid aspired to play volleyball in Europe, he began playing basketball at the age of 15, imitating the game style of ace NBA star Hakeem Olajuwon.
At a basketball camp, Embiid talent was noticed by Cameroonian NBA player Mbah Moute. He migrated to the US the next year where he played basketball at Montverde Academy.
Joel Embiid Basketball Career
High School Career
Embiid went on to play basketball at Florida based Christian Academy, The Rock School. He put up an impressive performance at The Rock, which included, the state championship.
College Career
After graduating high school, Embiid attended the University of Kansas where he continued his basketball career. Though he played at Kansas for a year, Embiid left his imprint during his time there. He was listed as one of the finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year. He was also named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and named to the second-team All-Big 12. He was faced with an injury which prevented him from participating in the NCAA tournament as well as the Big 12 tournaments.
Professional Career
Philadelphia 76ers (2014–present)
Despite his injury, Embiid entered the 2014 NBA Draft. Embiid entering the draft, meant he forfeited his remaining three years at college. The Philadelphia 76ers selected Embiid as their third overall pick six days after he entered the draft, thus becoming the third and highest Cameroonian to be selected to the NBA. Embiid debut in the NBA was delayed for two seasons as a result of the injury in his foot.
After missing the 2014/15 season, he was meant to debut in the 2015/16 season but that was stalled as a result of slow recovery. However, he debuted for the Philadelphia 76ers in a pre-season game against the Boston Celtics on October 4, 2016. Embiid seemed to be ready for his long-awaited debut as he recorded 6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks within 13 minutes of action. His regular season debut was even better as he recorded 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 25 minutes of action against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Embiid continued with his impressive form, which saw him honoured with the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November. He further went on to repeat the feat in December. He earned the Eastern Conference Player of the month honour in January 2017 as well as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. He was also named to the World team for the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge.
Sadly, Embiid could not participate in the 2017 All-Star Weekend events as a result of a torn meniscus in his left knee. After a successful surgery in March, Embiid was ruled out for the rest of the season, he was however named to the 2017 NBA All-Rookie First team. Embiid signed a Rookie contract with the Philadelphia 76er worth $148 million. The contract allowed Embiid to earn an additional $30 million if he was named to the All-NBA first, second or third team or he won the MVP in the 2017/18 season. Embiid continued in his impressive form. He was thus named as a starter to the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Embiid went on to receive Easterner Conference Player of the week honours in the month of January and February. In a game against the New York Knicks on March 28, Embiid sustained a fracture in his left eye. He had surgery 3 days after the incident.
In the 2918/19 season, Embiid joined the ranks of players such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Ralph Sampson and others who registered 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 rebounds in their first 100 games. Despite battling injuries, Embiid continued in his good form. The Philadelphia 76ers progressed to the playoffs but lost to the Toronto Raptors. During the second round of the playoff, Embiid was down with an illness.
National team Career
Though Embiid is eligible to play for the Cameroonian national side, he didn’t play in the 2017 FIBA Afro Basket hosted in the Republic of Congo. Los Angeles Clipper player Luc Mbah a Moute said if Embiid played for Cameroon, it would be great for Cameroon as well as Embiid himself.
Joel Embiid Personal Life
- Embiid father, Thomas is a military officer.
- Embiid has two siblings, his sister Muriel and brother, Arthur.
- In 2014, Embiid’s younger brother Arthur died in a car accident.
- Embiid speaks English, French and Basaa, his native Cameroonian language.
- Embiid abstains from all forms of alcoholic beverages.
- He is currently dating Brazilian model Anne de Paula.
- Embiid is a prominent social media personality, with 1.6 million+ followers on Twitter, 3.5 million+ followers on Instagram and 298,000+ page likes on Facebook.
- He is known for his funny posts on social media.
Joel Embiid Highlights, Achievements and Awards
- NBA All-Star (2018, 2019)
- All-NBA Second Team (2018, 2019)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018, 2019)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2017)
- Second-team All-Big 12 (2014)
- Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
- Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2014)
- Big 12 All-Newcomer Team (2014)
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