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Picture Credit: Twitter

According to reports, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has emerged as a recruitment target for USA Basketball. Embiid is eligible to play for the United States after recently obtaining American citizenship. The 16-time Olympic winners hope to beat France in signing the Cameroon-born centre for their international team. 


Both teams have emerged as global powerhouses in the world of basketball. The clash of these titans was seen during the Tokyo Olympics where the French handed the USA their first group-stage loss since 2004. Whereas the Americans went on to win the gold by defeating France in the final. 


The update was reported by NBA insider Marc Stein who tweeted, “Sources tell me USA Basketball has a confirmed interest in recruiting Philadelphia's Joel Embiid to the national team and hopes to beat out France for Embiid's international commitment.”

Embiid also received French citizenship in July, and national team head coach Vincent Collet expressed hope for acquiring the services of the NBA scoring champion for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. "I know he met some of our players to discuss," Collet said. "I think he should play with us. But we will see. We will respect his decision whatever it is."


But Joel Embiid still has his options open and has classified three teams - USA, France and Cameroon as possible destinations. Embiid has multiple factors which will go behind this decision out of which the most important is good management. 


“I have never said that I will play for France, I said that it was just an option. I must play for many years (without injuries) before I think of joining a national team," he told the French newspaper, L'Équipe. "After that, it is complicated. I am from Cameroon but, there are many problems. They have to tend to them. I like my country; I am a patriot and I want to play it. If I have to choose, Cameroon will be my prime choice, if there is a good environment, because I am from there.”


“But, I won’t be the only one to decide on a point in time. My current team which has invested $150 million on me will also have its say. It is a lot of money to let their player go in an environment without a good medical care. So, my native country, France, and the United States are my current options. I just want good management.”