Anthony Edwards defended his Team USA teammate Joel Embiid after the French crowd jeered at him hard during their game against South Sudan. The audience has been giving the Philadelphia 76ers center a harsh reception every time he appears through the tunnel before the game or touches the ball during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Anthony Edwards Defends Joel Embiid From Hostile French Crowd
Edwards expressed confusion after Embiid was heavily jeered by the fans inside the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille during Team USA’s second group stage game against South Sudan on Wednesday, July 31.
“I don’t know what is going on. I don’t know why he gets booed all the time.”
A reneged promise to play for the French national team a few years ago might explain the crowd’s hostility towards the 7-foot big man. In 2021, Embiid, who was then only holding Cameroonian citizenship, wrote an official letter to French President Emmanuel Macron expressing his desire to play for France and clearly stating that he did not want to play for another country.
The French government granted the seven-time NBA All-Star citizenship in July 2022. He also received American citizenship in September of the same year. In October 2023, Embiid chose to represent the United States, citing that he wanted to win a gold medal for his son, who was born in the country.
Anthony Edwards Jokes About Joel Embiid Snubbing France
Despite missing out on Embiid, the French national team certainly does not lack talent. They remain among the favorites to win the gold medal, with six of the 12 players on the squad having seen action in the NBA during the 2023-24 season.
Edwards clearly expressed this notion while also highlighting that the team is loaded in the center position, which Embiid plays. France boasts reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama as their frontcourt players.
“But you got Wemby and Rudy; why would he play with y’all? Wemby and Rudy, what more do y’all want? You want three 7-footers?”
Other players with active NBA contracts in the French squad include Nicolas Batum and Bilal Coulibaly. Meanwhile, Frank Ntilikina and Evan Fournier also saw action in the league during the 2023-24 NBA season. Ntilikina now plays for the Serbian and EuroLeague team KK Partizan, while Fournier is a free agent.
Joel Embiid Benched Against South Sudan
Embiid did not even play during the game against South Sudan due to tactical reasons by head coach Steve Kerr, becoming the only player on the squad to not see action in their 106-83 win over the African nation.
During Team USA’s 110-84 opening win against Serbia last Sunday, July 28, Embiid started and played 11 minutes. The 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player finished with four points on 2-of-5 shooting, adding two rebounds and a block. He missed his lone three-point attempt and all three of his free throws.
The Golden State Warriors mentor stated that he wanted to match the speed of South Sudan while assuring that Embiid will return to the starting lineup for their final group stage game against Puerto Rico on Saturday, August 3.
