Joel Embiid jeered by French fans for snubbing host nation to represent Team USA in Olympics
PARIS, FRANCE: Joel Embiid, who became a naturalized citizen of France in 2022, was ruthlessly booed by French fans during the US men's basketball team's winning match against Serbia at the Paris Olympics on July 28.
The 30-year-old Philadelphia 76ers star is representing Team USA in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Embiid, being a native of Cameroon, also had the option to represent the host nation being a naturalized citizen of France and the United States.
Joel Embiid booed by French fans
The NBA star, who chose to play for the USA in October 2023, was met with furious jeers by the French who were not happy with his decision.
During the match between the USA and Serbia, the French left no stone unturned to express their anger at Embiid for choosing Team USA over France in the Olympics.
He was booed whenever he did anything on the court, including pregame introductions, coming off the bench, and touching the ball, per Daily Mail.
The Cameroon native, who was born in the city of Yaounde in Cameroon, has, however, never lived in the European nation despite being a citizen of the country.
Other NBA stars, including Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert, despite being decorated basketball players in the USA, have, however, chosen to play for their native country France.
Embiid's decision to choose the US over France has, in all probability, angered the French fans which resulted in the subsequent jeers.
Joel Embiid chose Team USA for his son
In October 2023, Joel Embiid shared that he chose Team USA over France because of his son.
He wrote on his social media, “I’m really proud and excited about this decision. It hasn’t been easy. It wasn’t easy.”
The NBA player who can speak fluent French said, “I am fortunate to call Cameroon, France, and the USA my home. After discussions with my family, I knew my allegiance had to be with Team USA.”
I’m really proud and excited about this decision. It was not easy. I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home. After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve… pic.twitter.com/6VHSQTKVl3
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 5, 2023
He explained, “I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play with my brothers in the league.”
“I want to play for my fans because they’ve been incredible since the day I came here,” shared the star who landed in the USA at the age of 16 after being discovered by Luc Mbah a Moute, per AS.
He reiterated again in his heartfelt post, “But most of all, I want to honor my son who was born in the US. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him.”
