One of the most gifted, tough, upbeat, and determined talents in the league is Joel Embiid, a well-known Cameroonian basketball player.
While chasing brilliance in the NBA early in his career, he experienced his fair share of injuries and tribulations, but he never gave up. Basketball’s fastest-rising star, Joel Embiid, is still making a name for himself.
About Joel Embiid | Family and Education
The setting was Yaoundè, Cameroon, and the occasion was 2009. Joel Embiid had no idea where basketball would take him when, at the age of 15, he first took one up.
Before meeting Hakeem Olajuwon, Embiid, who spent the majority of his life as a volleyball player, had never given basketball a thought.
Joel was motivated by his grace and elegance on the floor to try basketball, and so the trip began.
Embiid was a work in progress even while he lived in Kansas. Attending numerous basketball camps held in the Yaoundè region made this clear to him.
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Because he was so new to the game, he frequently bounced the ball off his foot, tripped over a screen, and let passes pass right past his hands.
His agility, outside jump shooting, remarkable footwork, and shot-blocking ability were astounding.
The Cameroonian, who was only 15 years old, showed a skill set uncommon for players his size, drawing similarities to his hero Mr. Olajuwon.
Joel Embiid | Parents
Joel Embiid was born in Yaounde to Cameroonian parents Thomas and Christine Embiid.
Thomas Embiid was a military officer, more precisely a colonel, in the Cameroonian army. In addition to his military service, Thomas was a professional handball player.
Christine Embiid, a Cameroonian, founded the Arthur Embiid Foundation and the Angels Foundation.
Thomas and Christine Embiid also had two other children, Muriel and Arthur, in addition to Joel. On October 16, 2014, a vehicle tragedy claimed the life of Arthur Embiid.
Growing up, Embiid’s mother encouraged him to pursue a career in medicine.
She couldn’t help but undermine her son’s hopes of becoming an NBA player, though. Instead, she pledged to stand by his side as he followed his heart.
Uncles are Joel Embiid’s Biggest Supporter
Uncle Didier Yanga played a crucial role in Embiid’s upbringing. He captured Joel playing outside his house to get in touch with Joe Touomou, the first Cameroonian to compete in the NCAA.
This resulted in Embiid taking his first steps despite his parents’ doubts about his chances in the game.
He saw an NBA game in 2009 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, when he fell in love with Kobe Bryant, before his big break.
Every time he touched a ball at a nearby court after that, he sought to emulate the Lakers great, all the while giving his mother the impression that he was in his room doing homework.
About to give up
When Embiid was 16 years old, he visited America. He had no family there and had linguistic difficulties.
He was considering giving up because he was the target of jokes when he struggled to catch passes from teammates or take advantage of simple opportunities.
Coach Kevin Boyle warned those who were making jokes, “Now you laugh.” However, because Joel will be affluent in five years, you’ll be pleading with him for money then.
Days of High School
Joel Embiid’s first year of school at Montverde Academy was still laced with reminders of his time in Cameroon.
Embiid’s first coach, Kevin Boyle, acknowledged that during his first unofficial session, his teammates laughed a lot.
He was confused and somewhat clumsy about the play while he was with his high school teammates, the majority of whom had been honing their skills for more than a decade.
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He would not, however, leave his impact at Montverde because he decided to depart due to a lack of playing time.
Any player must gain experience to improve and perfect their fundamentals, something he was lacking at Montverde.
Embiid had a five-star rating as a recruit in 2012. In the fall before his senior year of high school, he committed to Kansas, one of the nation’s top recruiters.
College career
On February 13, 2014, Joel was announced as one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year honor.
He made 28 appearances and averaged 23.1 minutes per game, 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks during the 2013–14 season.
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Joel scored at least 15 points and blocked five shots in seven games. He won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year distinction as well as second-team All-Big 12 recognition.
In March 2014, Embiid experienced a stress fracture in his back. He wasn’t allowed to play in the Big 12 tournament or the NCAA Tournament that year. Kansas was ousted from the NCAA Tournament in the second round.
NFL Draft
Joel declared for the draft at the beginning of April 2014, and the top three had to include him.
After a few practices with the Cavaliers and the timely mending of his back, experts believed that he would be taken with the first overall choice.
Joel, though, underwent foot surgery to repair a broken navicular bone in his right foot just days before the draft.
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Many people never regain their agility and quickness completely. In the same way that Greg Oden’s failure to remain healthy cost him a successful career, Embiid was now being characterized as an injury-prone big player.
The Cavaliers were reluctant to take such a chance because they were still in shock from the Anthony Bennett fiasco two years before. They went with Embiid’s colleague Andrew Wiggins as the safer option.
Joel was taken by the Philadelphia 76ers in the third round whereas Jabari Parker was the player the Bucks were most interested in.
Injury
Joel’s surgery in June did not heal properly, so he was forced to miss the full 2014–15 season.
But although Joel recovered sufficiently to briefly participate in the NBA summer league, things only got worse.
Joel needed a second surgery because the first one he had had difficulties.
Insiders, Sixers, and staff were truly worried that their careers might be jeopardized by this setback. Joel might be grouped with Greg Oden.
He overcame his hurdles gradually, and by the time preseason arrived, he was prepared to play.
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Joel gave a few fleeting cameos that served to remind people of their initial attraction to him.
Everyone was hoping he wouldn’t turn out like Oden because of his footwork, grace, rim protection, and agility.
Expectations for the regular season have increased as a result of the outstanding preseason performance.
Joel was the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year despite the Sixers’ loaded frontcourt. He nevertheless defies expectations despite this.
Professional Life and Career
This season, Joel Embiid’s playing time will be constrained by the Sixer’s organization.
It was also the best long-term choice given the circumstances. In the near term, though, it hasn’t diminished his excellent play in any way.
In only 25 minutes per night, he averages more than 19 points, more than seven rebounds, and over three blocks. That works up to more than 27 points, ten rebounds, and nearly four blocks per 36.
In his first season, Olajuwon averaged 36 minutes of playtime with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
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On February 12, Embiid achieved his fourth triple-double of his career by scoring 40 points, 14 rebounds, ten assists, and three steals during a 103-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With 42 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists against the Milwaukee Bucks, the defending champions, on February 17, Embiid helped his team defeat them 123-120.
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Joel Embiid| Progression
In his current shape, Embiid merits more attention than he or his colleagues who frequently go back to the hoop have previously earned.
His development influences both the design and use of his game in a variety of ways.
He’s grown more deliberate with his 3-point shots, making them at a rate (37.7 percent) that has turned a flimsy demonstration of versatility into a real threat despite shooting a career-low three per game.
His midrange shooting has also improved, going from 41% last season (62nd percentile) to 47% in 2021 (76th percentile).
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Embiid believes that his ability to play from mid-range makes his varied toolkit useful.
As his statements imply, Embiid plays basketball with intelligence and method.
When compared to someone who didn’t begin playing until he was a teenager, he has picked up the game at a blazing pace.
Relationship Status
Although they have been dating since 2018, Joel Embiid and Anne have not yet been married. Embiid’s appearance on the GQ cover in October of last year sparked the first whispers about their planned cooperation.
He discussed a few parts of his romantic life in the interview. The unidentified woman that Embiid was alluding to was presumed to be Anne de Paula after the article was published.
The duo was seen together earlier that month when attending the NBA China Games in China.
Sports Illustrated uses Anne as a swimsuit model. She was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, although she grew up in Miami, Florida.
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Similarly, She started working as a model in 2014, and she is represented by the Wilhelmina modeling agency.
She was the focus of a background investigation because according to Embiid in his GQ interview,
“he didn’t want to date or marry someone who had previously been with “someone else in the NBA.”
How Did Anne de Paula and Joel Embiid Meet?
Joel Embiid and Anne de Paula’s love journey has been amazing.
In 2018, a mutual friend introduced them over dinner in New York City. De Paula acknowledged to the magazine that they didn’t talk much and that she didn’t know he played basketball.
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However, she claimed that night was the beginning of their “wonderful friendship” rather than the commencement of a romantic connection.
In an interview with ESPN, the model insisted that they hit it off because they had a lot of things in common, including a love of soccer, fluency in French, and a desire to start a family in the future.
Son’s father
Joel Embiid and Anne de Paula’s baby Arthur Embiid were born in good health.
He weighs a lot more than the typical American newborn, by a wide margin. Maybe he was supposed to grow up to be a colossus like his dad.
To announce the birth, the Cameroonian native wrote on Instagram and Twitter:
“Are there 11 or more to come? All I want to do is form a soccer team, and I’m trying to convince her, but I’m not having much success so far.”
He tagged Anne de Paula, claiming that she is incredibly resilient and provided him with life’s greatest gift.
Numerous rumors claim that Arthur is named after the NBA player’s deceased brother.
Net Worth and Salary | Joel Embiid
Sites like Wealthy Gorilla estimate Joel Embiid’s net worth to be $35 million in 2022.
Embiid has improved his skills with the 76ers, earning five NBA All-Star berths and signing a five-year, $147.7 million contract in 2017.
Additionally, if he made the NBA’s first, second, or third team or was named MVP in 2017–18, he would receive an additional $30 million.
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In 2021, Embiid agreed to a four-year, $196 million contract deal, reiterating his position as the 76ers’ captain and expressing his confidence in his team’s chances to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
He even came in at number 48 on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid sportsmen in the world in 2019.
Joel is a strong favorite to win the NBA MVP Award in 2021–2022, which would help Philadelphia advance to the NBA Finals.
Embiid made an estimated $6 million from sponsorship deals.
Body Measurement | Hair, Height, Weight
When on the court, Embiid is typically strong, but he can score from any point, shoot like a guard, and breakthrough contact like a bullet through butter.
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Joel weighs 280 lbs. and is an enormous 7 feet tall.
He does better than others at the major things, the small things, and even the in-between things. Most importantly, Embiid is aware of his talent and consistently outplays other teams and players.
Social Media
Instagram– 5.9M followers
Twitter– 2.1M followers
Frequently Asked Question:
Why was Joel Embiid benched?
The Philadelphia 76ers’ game on March 28 against the Miami Heat will not include Joel Embiid.
Due to back soreness, Embiid will be out of the game, while Harden will be out as his left hamstring heals.
Can Joel Embiid make a dunk?
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers made one of the best dunks of the NBA season during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After being fouled by Jarrett Allen of Cleveland, Joel was already at the free-throw line.
Should Embiid win MVP?
Embiid is currently the +145 favorite to win this year’s MVP title after the All-Star break, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Quick Facts | Joel Embiid
Full Name | Joel Hans Embiid |
Known as | Joel Embiid |
Nickname | The Process |
Birth Date | March 16, 1994 |
Birth Place | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
Residence | Not Available |
Religion | Not Available |
Nationality | Cameroonian |
Ethnicity | Black |
Education | Montverde Academy, The Rock School (Gainesville, Florida), and Kansas (2013–2014) |
Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
Father’s Name | Thomas Embiid |
Mother’s Name | Christine Embiid |
Siblings | Arthur & Muriel Embiid |
Age | 28 years old |
Height | 7 inches |
Weight | 280 lb (127 kg) |
Eye Color | Brown |
Hair Color | Black |
Body type | Athletic |
Profession | Basketball Player |
Marital Status | Engaged |
Girlfriend | Anne de Paula |
Children | Arthur Embiid |
Active since | 2014 – present |
Teams | Philadelphia 76ers |
Achievements |
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Endorsements | Amazon, Mountain Dew, Under Armour, and Electronic Arts (EA) |
Net Worth | $35 million |
NBA Draft Pick | 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall |
Position | Center & Power Forward |
League | NBA |
Merch | Basketball Card |
Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Last Update | September 2022 |
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