The day is finally here. Team USA has reached the Olympic training camp amid the heated NBA off-season deals. Steph Curry arrived first, directly sending a message to his fans that he was locked in. Following him, the remaining roster, including the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, showed up at the facility. However, fans weren’t happy with Embiid’s presence for a particular reason, and they unleashed their wrath.

No, the Cameroonian star didn’t just show up at the facility out of the blue. The 30-year-old’s inclusion in the ‘super roster’ of Team USA already had fans debating, and it blew up further on the day of his arrival. A fan wrote, “Embiid is a disgrace,” a short but powerful statement for sure. But what’s the root cause? The criticisms regarding Embiid’s citizenship have been debated for over a year. Notably, it isn’t just Americans but also French fans who are criticizing the big man.

Joel Embiid has dual citizenship with the US and France over and above his home country, Cameroon. Upon his request to the French Federation of Basketball in 2021, he got a French passport. The Sixer reportedly wrote a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, which allegedly read, “I wish to take steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be able to be selected with the Blues. I, therefore, do not wish to play for any other national team.” Even FFB President Jean Pierre-Siutat helped him attain citizenship.

However, the star couldn’t play the European Championship because of his thumb injury. Months later, he received citizenship from the US, and his mind seems to have changed. That’s because he declared he would represent the States in the Paris Olympics. The star center’s immediate switch left fans upset, and they took to social media comments, attacking Embiid. And Pierre-Siutat also joined the bandwagon, but he didn’t attack Embiid.

Instead, he took a subtle hit, highlighting an already overpowered USA roster. “Team USA, with him, who can beat you? Come on, nobody. This is an easy way for him to get an Olympic medal,” the Frenchman told The Athletic. Embiid addressed his tangled citizenship with three nations, saying, “It was tough. Obviously, I love all three options. With my home country, which I love a lot. But I really want to participate in the Olympics… My family, my son, and having the chance to represent a country like the US and my son being born here.”

The above dialogue must’ve surely come with genuineness and with no intention of causing harm, but fans haven’t taken it too lightly.

Joel Embiid was deemed a “fraud” as he arrived at Team USA camp

It’s not very difficult to ignite the NBA world. They hate disloyalty. Let’s take Kevin Durant, The Slim Reaper. He isn’t necessarily disloyal, but being a talented baller constantly moving around, he has received the fans’ wrath just for his method to win a ring. He left the OKC Thunder, where he played for eight seasons, and joined the Golden State Warriors, an already-stacked championship roster, to win a ring. Eventually, KD won two rings, but he still hasn’t escaped the fans’ hate.

Joel Embiid also has a similar story: he left Cameroon and joined Team USA to win silverware (or rather, goldware). Addressing the situation, a fan wrote, “He’s a fraud. He should’ve played with Cameroon.” Team Cameroon is currently playing in the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. And, of course, Embiid’s inclusion on the side could have been a massive boost to them. But even without him, they won the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament with a dominant 4-0 record!

Many fans reflected only one emotion regarding Joel Embiid’s choice not to play for his home country. Despite having the advantage of being part of a strong core in Team USA, fans didn’t expect the star to play. “He’s not American. He should be helping his country where he from 🤦🏾‍♂️,” an individual wrote. Drifting away from the emotion, one fan wrote, “Embiid American soft.” Coming off an injury-prone last few months of the NBA season, Joel’s inclusion in the USA roster only means one thing. Steve Kerr, the head coach, has instilled his confidence and belief in the Sixer.

That’s because big names like Jalen Brunson, Paul George, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, and many more missed out on the 12-man roster. Building on the same emotion, another fan expected the star to help Pascal Siakam, also a Cameroonian: “Joel should be helping out Siakam and Cameroon, not riding a free train.” However, the current Cameroon roster doesn’t have the Pacer in it either because of an injury!

“Being able to get that OQT boarding pass was huge,” were Cameroon’s head coach Alfred Aboya’s words in 2023. The African country was at an all-time high, beating the likes of Guinea, Mali, Tunisia, and front-runner Senegal! Many fans cannot fathom how strong Cameroon would’ve been if Joel Embiid represented them. Ultimately, he made his decision, saying, “I love my home country, but I really wanted to play in the Olympics.”

Considering he chose the US, the reality is quite different from what it would’ve been had he played for Cameroon. And amidst all the criticism, Team USA is gearing up to win their 17th men’s Olympic gold medal.

Before you go, do not forget to check out Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, to open up about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud. Keep checking this space for more such updates.