Joel Embiid (NBA) Joel Hans Embiid 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 has received three All-Star selections. He has nicknamed himself “The Process” in response to a refrain from 76ers fans during the Sam Hinkie era to “trust the process”.
Early years
Embiid was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, born on 16 March 1994 to military officer Thomas Embiid and his wife, Christine. He originally planned to play professional volleyball in Europe but started playing basketball at age 15, modeling his game after NBA Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon. Embiid was discovered at a basketball camp by Luc Mbah a Moute, a fellow native of Yaounde and an NBA player. 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. Embiid enrolled at Montverde Academy, Mbah a Moute’s alma mater, but transferred after his first year due to a lack of playing time. He then attended The Rock School, a Christian academy, in Gainesville, Florida. 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. Embiid was a five-star recruit according to Rivals.com and committed to Kansas in November 2012.
