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Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has won the Olympic gold medal after Team USA's victory over France in the final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Embiid, who had the option to represent the United States, France, or his native Cameroon, ultimately chose to play for Team USA.
His decision, made after initially expressing interest in joining the French national team, has paid off as he now stands on the cusp of Olympic glory. The 2023 NBA MVP has played a key role in the U.S. team's success throughout the tournament.
Despite his current commitment to Team USA, Embiid has hinted that this might be his only Olympics with the American team. Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, he is considering a switch to represent Cameroon, his birth country, on the global stage.
Embiid's choice to play for Team USA was influenced by several factors, including the opportunity to guarantee his participation in the Paris Olympics.
"It's been a good experience [in Paris]," Embiid noted.
"It's been a grind, being away from home and family for a few weeks.
"But the group of guys we have made it easy.
"Paris is a great city, and the next one is LA. It might not be with Team USA, it might be with Cameroon."
Embiid recently revealed that political considerations also played a part in his decision to forgo representing France. Specifically, Embiid pointed to the historical and political influence of France in Cameroon and neighboring regions as a reason for his decision.
Can Embiid play for Cameroon in the Olympics?
If Embiid decides to switch allegiance to Cameroon, the move would require approval from FIBA, the international basketball governing body, and the cooperation of USA Basketball.
According to FIBA regulations, a player can switch national teams if certain criteria are met, including holding a valid passport from the new country and not having represented the previous country in an official FIBA competition for at least three years.
In order to be eligible to play for Cameroon in the 2028 Olympics, Embiid would likely need to sit out the 2027 FIBA World Cup. This would clear the way for him to pursue his dream of representing his home country on the Olympic stage.