
According to FIBA rules, each national basketball team—both men’s and women’s—can have one player on their 12-person roster who is a naturalized citizen. This means the player was born in another country but later obtained a passport for their new country after turning 16.
One of the biggest stories at the Paris Olympics is Joel Embiid’s choice to play for the United States as their naturalized player. Embiid, who is 30 years old, was born in Cameroon and also holds French citizenship. Instead of representing Cameroon, his home country, or France, the host country for these Olympics, Embiid chose to join the U.S. team. His goal is to contribute to the team’s quest for their fifth gold medal in a row.
This decision has sparked mixed reactions. French fans are unhappy with Embiid’s choice, and some people in Cameroon are questioning why he didn’t represent his birthplace. Here’s a deeper look into why Embiid decided to play for the United States instead of France or Cameroon.
Why is Joel Embiid playing for USA, not France?
Joel Embiid chose to represent Team USA in the Paris Olympics instead of France or his native Cameroon, which didn’t qualify for the men’s basketball tournament. Embiid, who became a U.S. citizen in 2022, said his decision was influenced by his son, who was born in the U.S.
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter) in October, Embiid shared his feelings about the decision:
“I’m really proud and excited about this choice. It was tough, and I feel fortunate to call Cameroon, France, and the USA my homes. After discussing with my family, I realized it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my fellow NBA players, show my gratitude to the fans who have supported me since day one, and most importantly, honor my son who was born here. I want him to know that I played my first Olympics for him.”
Embiid also reflected on his American citizenship: “I’ve been living here for a long time. My son is American, and I’m grateful for the chance to be an American. So, I thought, why not?”
Embiid was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on March 16, 1994. He moved to the U.S. at 16, finished high school here, and later attended the University of Kansas.
Boris Diaw, the general manager of the French national team, revealed that Embiid had previously expressed a desire to play for France. However, Embiid’s choice to play for the U.S. upset many, including former French player Frédéric Weis, who suggested revoking Embiid’s French nationality and banning him from France.
A representative for Embiid clarified that he did not request a French passport; French officials offered it to him. Diaw mentioned that when asked whether Embiid could benefit France, the response was positive, leading to his naturalization.
During the Olympics, Embiid faced boos from audiences in Lille and Paris, France.