“I would like to take the steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be eligible for selection with the Blues. I, therefore, do not wish to play for any other national team“– this is what Joel Embiid wrote in his letter to French President Emmanuel Macron in 2021. In July 2022, the French government granted his wish. This sealed Embiid’s participation for France in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Fast-forward to 2024, Joel Embiid is hooping in a blue jersey but not for France- he was playing for Team USA. With only a fortnight remaining till the Olympics, Embiid is with the USAB in Abu Dhabi in the training camp. So what exactly happened in between? How did his voluntary wish go up in smoke? From this point onwards, we’ll look back at the comprehensive timeline of the 76ers star’s controversial journey to Paris.

The reason behind Joel Embiid ditching France for the USA

After Embiid applied for French citizenship, he was granted the honor of representing Les Bleus. Thanks to his French ancestry and the article in the French constitution that says, “Nationality may be granted to a foreigner whose naturalization is of exceptional interest.” But within a few months, Embiid received American citizenship and decided to play for the country he earned his living in. Indicating how his family played a pivotal part in his decision-making, Embiid said, “I’ve been here for a long time. My son is American. I felt like, I’m living here and it’s a blessing to be an American. So I said, why not?”

Embiid even recently credited NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon for influencing his decision to play for the Star-Spangled Men. “Obviously, Hakeem (Olajuwon), having played for the US, when you start thinking about making a decision, kinda makes it easy that, you know, someone else has done it, especially someone at that level. I’m just happy. I’m just happy to be representing this country and, being here,” Embiid said in a recent video released by USAB.

Apart from his Sixers ties, Embiid spent a season with Kansas after completing his graduation from The Rock School in Florida. Then he got drafted by the Sixers in 2014 and has been playing there ever since. In case you kept a tab of the timeline, that’s well over 5 years, the minimum requirement to get US citizenship for those not married to another US citizen. This caused mass outrage in France with his words of promise to Macron turning into a national sign of treason.

Jean-Pierre Siutat, French basketball president, went ballistic over Embiid. Holding nothing back, he said, “Team USA, with him, who can beat you? Come on, nobody…This is an easy way for him to get an Olympic medal,” in an interview with The Athletic’s Joe Vardon. He even wanted him “banned” from participating, but that did not see the light of reality. But how exactly reality has been for Embiid? With the current proceedings, one might say, not how he envisioned.

Joel Embiid’s recent performance with Team USA

Following another disappointing season ending with a first-round exit, Joel Embiid is focusing on his Olympic dreams. The former MVP has already played two games in the string of exhibition matches for Team USA as the starting Center. But things don’t look too good for the All-Star. In the first game against Canada, Embiid only contributed with 5 points and 6 rebounds before getting fouled out only in 12 minutes. “He fouled out. Five fouls in 12 minutes. And he didn’t look healthy. He looked like he was laboring. All the commentary after the game was that he is laboring. He is still coming back from that injury you know. He is still not a hundred percent,” Chris Broussard said after the game.

Embiid suffered a meniscus tear earlier this year. He returned to action just before the Playoffs in April, but according to experts, he is still shy of full fitness. Rasheed McCants is another nourishing the same sentiment as he revealed during the latest episode of Gil’s Arena podcast. “Joel still look like he out of shape. He shouldn’t even be out there,” the former NBA star told his co-hosts. This came in the aftermath of the USA vs Australia game on Monday where Embiid did not look at his best. His point tally did improve to 14, but that is not something everyone expects of him. There’s still time before the Olympics but performance won’t be his only concern going to France as he will certainly get a pleasant greeting from Lille natives.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video