The basketball coach who’s happy Joel Embiid didn’t join his team
Embiid picked Team USA over France for his international career—despite being born in Cameroon—choosing the country where he lives, works, and raises his family.
In recent years, it’s become increasingly common for top international teams to strengthen their rosters with naturalized players. From point guards like Kendrick Perry (Montenegro) and Jaleen Smith (Croatia), to naturalization-for-a-passport cases like Jaycee Carroll (Azerbaijan) or Brandon Davies (Uganda), the practice is widespread. But nothing stirred debate quite like Joel Embiid’s high-profile decision ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics—arguably the most controversial approval ever seen by FIBA, the sport’s international governing body.
Why Embiid chose Team USA over Cameroon and France
Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on March 16, 1994, Embiid had several options on the table. He first acquired French citizenship, citing family ties. But as the Paris Olympics approached, so did interest from another national team: the United States, where he stars for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA and has built a life off the court.
France made a strong push to bring him in, imagining a terrifying frontcourt trio of Embiid, Victor Wembanyama, and Rudy Gobert—backed by EuroLeague standout Mathias Lessort and versatile forwards like Bilal Coulibaly and Guerschon Yabusele.
But then came the call from USA Basketball, who were building a “superteam” including Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. That was enough to sway Embiid. He suited up for Team USA, and they went on to win the gold.
The reason France coach Collet was “happy” to be without Emiid
France’s head coach at the time, Vincent Collet, didn’t mince words when reflecting on the saga.
“I’m happy he didn’t play for us last year,” Collet said recently. “I understand why countries go this route, but I don’t think it’s fair. Most of the time it’s point guards, because that’s a weak spot for Europe. But I don’t believe we need to do that.”
Collet, 62, led the French national team from 2009 to 2024. Speaking at the B8 Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, he told BasketNews that while Embiid is undeniably a great player, he didn’t believe the fit was right.
“Of course he’s a fantastic talent. But from a team chemistry standpoint—even though he speaks French and has ties to the country—I don’t think he was a great fit for French basketball,” Collet said.
He also suggested the decision wasn’t really his to make.
“This came from much higher up, even from government ministers. It was a big deal. The Olympics were in France, and they saw Embiid as a guarantee of success. But I had my doubts,” he admitted.
Embiid booed as Team USA wins gold...against France
As fate would have it, the gold medal game in Paris featured none other than France and the United States—with Embiid in the spotlight.
Playing in front of a hostile crowd that booed him throughout the tournament, Embiid averaged 11.2 points per game, though some felt U.S. head coach Steve Kerr didn’t fully utilize his talents. In the end, Embiid stood atop the podium with gold around his neck, while France settled for silver.
In more ways than one, Embiid came out on top.
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