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Joel Embiid Rumors: 76ers Star 'Noncommital' About Playing for USA at 2024 Olympics

Doric Sam

A star-studded group of players is reportedly preparing to represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but the status of reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid remains in question.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, "Team USA has done some recruiting of Joel Embiid, who holds both United States and French citizenship, but the Philadelphia 76ers star has thus far been noncommittal."

Embiid was granted French citizenship in July 2022, and he then became a U.S. citizen that September. He's also eligible to play for his home country of Cameroon, though the national team has yet to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.

Windhorst pointed out that "health obviously will play a large role in how the team comes together." Embiid has battled his fair share of injuries throughout his basketball career and typically uses the offseason to allow his body to recover, so it remains to be seen if he'll want to participate in the Olympics at all.

If the 29-year-old does play, whichever team he suits up for will undoubtedly be among the favorites to take home the gold medal. Embiid led the NBA with 33.1 points per game last season while also averaging 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 blocks.

After Team USA failed to medal in the FIBA World Cup this year, there is "robust interest from NBA superstars" to represent the United States at the Olympics next year, per Windhorst. Among the players named to have interest were Stephen Curry, who has yet to make his Olympic debut, and past gold medal winners LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Also, members of the 2021 gold-medal-winning team in Tokyo "are also candidates to return," such as Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker and two-time gold medalist Draymond Green. Three-time gold medalist Kevin Durant is also a candidate, while two-time gold medalist Chris Paul, who hasn't played since the 2012 Olympics, "is also considering another Olympic run," per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

   

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