(Los Angeles) The Cameroonian Joel Embiid has become, 29 years after one of his idols, the Nigerian Hakeem Olajuwon, the second African in history designated MVP (“Most valuable player”) of the regular season, symbolizing the domination of basketball players strangers in the NBA and the era of ultra-versatile giants.
“I don’t know where to start, it’s been a long road, I’ve been through so much, there’s been a lot of work done. And I’m not just talking about basketball. It feels good to be where I am, ”reacted the pivot in the show NBA on TNT.
The third time will have been good for the pivot of the Sixers, finalist in this trophy race, newly baptized Michael Jordan, in 2021 and 2022, each time preceded by Nikola Jokic.
Second, the Serb from the Denver Nuggets will not finally join the closed club of players elected MVP three years in a row, made up of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird. Third place went to the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, double winner in 2019 and 2020.
This accomplishment rewards the constant progress of Embiid, who finished as the championship’s top scorer for the past two seasons. In 2022-23, he averaged 33.1 points on 54.8%, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 blocks, improving his stats in almost every sector compared to the Previous exercice.
Beyond the numbers, he is rewarded for his considerable impact on the Sixers, who finished third in the regular season. But the pivot (2.13 m and 127 kg) is currently chomping at the bit, because a sprained right knee prevents him from helping his team in the playoffs, even if a return to the courts could come this week in the semi-finals Eastern Conference against Boston (1-0).
From beginnings to 16 years old
His entry into the list of winners of this prestigious distinction consecrates for the fifth consecutive year a non-American player and extends the hegemony of versatile interiors, previously embodied by Jokic and Antetokounmpo.
The 29-year-old Cameroonian, ultra-dominant in attack and a deterrent in defense, is often compared to Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the best pivots in history. And for good reason: the former star of the Houston Rockets, who shone with his technique, his movements, his agility, his toughness, crowned champion in 1994 and 1995, was his model in his learning of basketball, according to a course atypical.
While a career as a volleyball player held out his arms, he started basketball late, at the age of 16. And a few months later, in 2010, he left Yaoundé for Florida where he entered high school, without speaking a word of English.
Drafted in 3e position in 2014 by Philadelphia, he did not make his professional debut until two years later, the fault of a right foot injury. Not enough to knock down “Jojo” who has since imposed his carcass (2.13 m and 127 kg) and his immense talent, to better put Africa back on the NBA map, even if this continent provides more and more talents.
“I would like people to know through my journey that everything is possible in life, that it takes a lot of work, a little luck, but that everything is possible, whatever you want to do from the moment you believe in what you’re doing,” he said.
Last year Embiid was naturalized French then American. Enough to arouse the greed of these two selections one year before the Paris Olympics. He promised to make a decision on this upcoming sporting nationality, which Cameroon is also eagerly awaiting.