Grant Hill ‘Very Excited’ by Joel Embiid’s Play for Team USA at 2024 Paris Olympics

Doric SamAugust 7, 2024

Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images

Star center Joel Embiid received a wave of criticism from fans when he chose to play for Team USA instead of France at the Paris Olympics, but he’s taken everything in stride.

Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, has citizenship in both the United States and France, but he’s only lived in the U.S. since he was a teenager. Still, that hasn’t stopped fans in Paris from letting their feelings be known each time he steps on the floor with Team USA.

Grant Hill, who built the Team USA roster, told The Athletic’s Joe Vardon that he’s been impressed with how Embiid has handled things so far.

“There was just a lot of noise around him, with his situation,” Hill said. “We knew he was going to have a big moment soon. … We’re very excited where he’s at, and I expect he’ll play well these next two games.”

Embiid put forth his best performance of the Olympics in Tuesday’s 122-87 blowout victory over Brazil, scoring 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds, all in the first half.

NBA @NBAJoel Embiid and the #USABMNT lead Brazil 63-36 at halftime of the Quarterfinals 🇺🇸

Embiid: 14 PTS, 3 3PM
LBJ: 10 PTS, 8 AST
DBook: 9 PTS, 2 3PM pic.twitter.com/YsULumx3uW

Embiid was rested in the second half of the blowout out of precaution, as he’s been dealing with ankle soreness.

Team USA is set for a semifinal matchup against Serbia and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic on Thursday, so it will need Embiid to continue performing at a high level if it hopes to achieve its goal of winning a fifth straight Olympic gold medal.