“I had no idea that I could even play organized basketball,” Joel Embiid mentioned while narrating his story to the Players Tribune. All we know about the Philadelphia 76ers star is that he came from Cameroon and shone as soon as he stepped onto the court. However, Joel Embiid carries a large array of experiences that he went through before the NBA. He did not even think of attending college in the States and accepting a sport as a career that he used to play with his late younger brother Arthur just for fun. Today, the hoopers compare the 7-footer to the legendary big man Shaq.

However, all of this couldn’t have happened if former NBA player Luc Richard Mbah a Moute had not spotted Embiid. And the Sixers star did not even show up on the first day of the camp. He was home all day playing FIFA with his late brother Arthur. However, Joel Embiid’s father and military officer got to know about the little scheme of his boys. He made sure that his 16-year-old went to the basketball camp. And then suddenly, that kid walked down the path of becoming the 7x NBA All-Star and still moving ahead.

Meanwhile, amid all of this fuss, Mbah a Moute ensured that Joel Embiid did not miss the academics part. That’s why he took him to the States with himself for further studies.

Joel Embiid: Entry into the high school world of the States with just basketball on mind

As soon as Mbah a Moute got Embiid to Florida, he inducted him into the Montverde Academy, Orlando. It had great athletics programs for athletes from all around the world in basketball and soccer. It was a preparatory school and was like the Mecca of top high school ballers. However, with 500 students on board, Embiid couldn’t get the playing time that he needed on the roster. Also, he was unaware of any element of the English language, only speaking good morning to his peers. He could not make up anything out of the instructions or call-outs from his teammates. His game was out of form, and his teammates used to laugh at him for it.

However, coach Kevin Boyle knew what he was doing as he once gave a mouthful to kids, stating, “You laugh now, but in five years, you are all going to go to Joel to borrow money because he’s going to be rich.”

Yet, the Process felt the need to switch the school.

Eventually, the scouts of The Rock School in Gainesville, Florida, observed the potential of the 7-foot centre. They called coach Justin Harden right away and asked, after mentioning Embiid’s stature, “He’s very athletic and can do all sorts of stuff. You interested?” Apparently, coach Harden just recruited Joel Embiid because he needed a player of big size to be useful to his team. Little did he know that player would turn out to be an elite and MVP-level player in the NBA.

During his senior year at the school in 2012, Embiid averaged 13 points, 9.7 boards and 1.9 blocks per game. He even took the Rock school’s team to the State Championship, leading the charge with a 33-4 record. Still, many people don’t believe that Embiid developed his baller skills in the Rock gym. “Not a lot of people knew about him when he was here. Some people are still surprised. I’m kind of more surprised when people recognize he’s from The Rock, “ coach Harden said about the anonymity of the school despite giving the league a player like Joel Embiid.

Meanwhile, during his senior year, he chose to go to Kansas University in November 2012 for his collegiate program.

Post high-school journey of the Process and college basketball

Soon after his senior year, Joel Embiid got to play in the Jordan Brand Classic game in April 2013. He dished out four points, caught seven rebounds and blocked five shots in 19 minutes of playing time. As soon as the NBA MVP entered the college, he was a star from the start. He led the college freshman team with a record in field goal percentage of 62.6% and boards average (8.1). Moreover, he also set the KU freshman blocking record with 72 blocked shots, eventually earning the title of Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and united with teammate Andrew Wiggins to play for the USBWA Freshman All-American Team.

As the season approached its ending, he made at least one block in his last 22 games in the varsity team. However, a back stress fracture derailed his flow and led him to miss the NCAA tournament and the Big 12 Championship. Soon after his injury in March, he declared to appear for the NBA draft in 2014 in April.

However, just two months later, on June 20, 2014, he went through surgery on his right foot. Still, the broken navicular bone kept pestering and could not heal as it was expected to be. Ultimately, the Sixers did pick him up for no. 3 overall pick, but he did not get to play the whole 2014-15 season. Later, he went through a second surgery on August 18, 2015, and missed the whole 2015-16 season.

Overall, after missing two seasons, Joel Embiid made his NBA debut on October 4, 2016, and the rest is history!

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.