Joel Embiid, standing at an impressive 7 feet tall, was born on March 16, 1994 in Yaoundé, Cameroon 1. He initially played volleyball and soccer before discovering his passion for basketball at age 15 2.
Embiid was mentored by fellow Cameroonian NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute, who discovered him at a basketball camp 3. At 16, Embiid moved to the United States, specifically Kansas, to pursue his dream of becoming a professional basketball player 4.
College Career
Joel Embiid had a dominant freshman season with the Kansas Jayhawks in 2013-14. He was a skilled shot blocker, averaging an impressive 2.6 blocks per game 1 2 3. Embiid was also an efficient scorer, able to score in the post and step out to hit jump shots 1. His strong presence was felt on both ends of the floor, impacting the game as a rim protector and scorer 1.
Standout Performances
Embiid helped lead Kansas to a strong season, including a Big 12 conference championship 1. He showcased his versatility, able to make plays off the dribble and find open teammates with his passing 1. Embiid was a key part of a talented Kansas team that also featured star player Andrew Wiggins 1. His standout performances and all-around game made him a highly touted NBA prospect coming out of college 1.
Statistical Highlights
In the 2013-14 season, Embiid played 28 games, averaging 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game 2. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the All-Big 12 Second Team and the Big 12 All-Defensive Team 2.
| Stat Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 28 |
| Games Started | 20 |
| Points/Game | 11.2 |
| Rebounds/Game | 8.1 |
| Assists/Game | 1.4 |
| FG% | 62.6% |
| 3P% | 20.0% |
| FT% | 68.5% |
| Blocks/Game | 2.6 |
Embiid's advanced stats in 2013-14 included: 28.2 Player Efficiency Rating (1st in Big 12), 20.5 Total Rebound Percentage (1st in Big 12), 27.3 Defensive Rebound Percentage (1st in Big 12), 11.7 Block Percentage (2nd in Big 12), 11.9 Box Plus/Minus (2nd in Big 12), 6.9 Defensive Box Plus/Minus (1st in Big 12) 3.
NBA Beginnings
Joel Embiid was drafted 3rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft 2 3. However, he missed the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons due to foot and knee injuries 5.
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Delayed Debut
- Embiid's NBA debut was delayed for two full seasons as he recovered from injuries sustained during his college career at Kansas 5.
- The 76ers exercised patience with their prized draft pick, allowing him ample time to heal and rehabilitate 5.
- Embiid's delayed debut built anticipation and excitement among fans eager to see the highly-touted prospect in action 5.
2016-17 Rookie Season
In the 2016-17 season, Embiid finally made his long-awaited NBA debut with the 76ers 2 6. Despite playing only 31 games due to a minutes restriction, his impact was immediate:
- Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team 2 6
- Averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game 6
- Showcased his versatile offensive game and elite rim protection 6
- Quickly established himself as a foundational piece for the 76ers' rebuild 6
Embiid's impressive rookie campaign, albeit abbreviated, provided a tantalizing glimpse of his immense potential and foreshadowed his eventual ascent to stardom in the NBA 2 6.
Ascent to Stardom
Establishing Stardom
In the 2017-18 season, Joel Embiid made his first NBA All-Star team and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, signaling his arrival as a dominant force in the league 2. This was just the beginning of his ascent to stardom.
Consistent Improvement
Embiid has continued to improve each season, making the All-NBA Second Team in 2018-19 and 2019-20, and the prestigious All-NBA First Team in 2023 2. His unwavering dedication to his craft has been evident in his steady rise to the upper echelon of NBA players.
Scoring Dominance
- In the 2021-22 season, Embiid won his first NBA scoring title, averaging an impressive 30.6 points per game 2.
- He repeated as scoring champion in 2022-23, further cementing his status as one of the league's premier scorers with an average of 33.1 points per game 2.
MVP Recognition
In the 2022-23 season, Embiid's exceptional performances were recognized with the highest individual honor in the NBA – the Most Valuable Player award 2. He became the fifth player in the storied history of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise to receive this prestigious accolade.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Throughout his ascent, Embiid has set numerous franchise records for the 76ers and has become one of the most dominant big men in the NBA 2. His combination of size, skill, and determination has allowed him to etch his name among the greats of the game.
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Accolades and Legacy
Career Statistics
Joel Embiid has played 433 games in his NBA career so far, with a career average of 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game 4. His career field goal percentage is 50.4%, 3-point percentage is 34.1%, and free throw percentage is 82.6% 4. Embiid has recorded 288 double-doubles, 7 triple-doubles, and has been disqualified 9 times in his career 4.
2022-23 Season Highlights
In the 2022-23 season, Embiid is averaging 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game 4. This dominant performance led to Embiid being named the 2022-2023 NBA MVP, beating the defending award winner 9. He led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 51-27 record this season, and they are currently in the Eastern Conference semifinals 9.
All-Star and All-NBA Selections
Embiid has been selected to the NBA All-Star team 6 times (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) and has been named to the All-NBA First Team twice (2021, 2022) 4. He has also been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team 3 times (2018-2020) 5.
Scoring Dominance and Free Throw Prowess
- In the 2021-22 season, Embiid averaged a career-high 30.6 points per game, along with 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals 4.
- He has led the league in free throws made and attempted in multiple seasons, showcasing his dominance at the free throw line 4.
- Embiid has recorded career-high 50+ point games against the Hornets (12.11.22) and Jazz (11.13.22) 5.
Individual Awards and Accolades
- Embiid has been named NBA Player of the Week 12 times and NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month 6 times 5.
- He scored 47 points to defeat the Nuggets (1.28.23) and 32 points in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game for Team LeBron 5.
- Embiid is described as an "all-around dominant player and elite center" who has had a powerful regular season and playoff run 9.
Global Impact and Legacy
Embiid has represented Cameroon on their national basketball team and recently gained French and American citizenship 2. His determination, perseverance, and impact both on and off the court make him a "true global inspiration to our next generation of athletes" 9.
FAQs
Q: What is Joel Embiid's highest scoring game? A: Joel Embiid achieved his career-high score in a game against the Spurs on January 22, where he scored an impressive 70 points.
Q: Which college did Joel Embiid attend? A: Joel Embiid played college basketball before turning professional.
Q: What sports has Joel Embiid played? A: Joel Hans Embiid, hailing from Yaounde, Cameroon, initially showed interest in volleyball and considered pursuing it professionally in Europe. However, at the age of 15, he switched to basketball and subsequently moved to the United States at 16 to concentrate on the sport.
Q: On average, how many three-point shots does Joel Embiid make per game? A: According to StatMuse, there is season-level data available for the average number of three-pointers made per game dating back to the 1979-80 season.
References
[1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5-clwr-Hiw
[2] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Embiid
[3] - https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/joel-embiid-1.html
[4] - http://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3059318/joel-embiid
[5] - https://www.nba.com/sixers/76ers-players/joel-embiid
[6] - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nbas-per-minute-awards-honoring-joel-embiids-absurd-scoring-the-leagues-best-defender-actual-mip-more/
[7] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FdVe4hOzV8
[8] - https://www.sportsgrid.com/video/jojos-health-impact-on-mvp-awards-and-playoffs
[9] - https://about.underarmour.com/en/stories/2023/05/joel-embiid-takes-home-kia-nba-mvp.html
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