Joel Embiid endured a barrage of boos from French fans after the United States defeated the home team in the men’s basketball gold medal game at the Olympics. In this game, he might as well have been playing on the other side of the court in an alternate universe.
The Cameroon-born player, who also holds American nationality, toyed with the idea of representing France at the Olympic Games in Paris, but ultimately opted for the country where he plays professional basketball.
Embiid was granted French citizenship in July 2022, despite never having lived in the country, when French basketball president Jean-Pierre Siutat reportedly went the extra mile after Embiid allegedly told him he wanted to play for France.
That never happened, however, and French fans had not forgotten his rejection on Saturday, as they stormed him with boos after the US’ 98-87 victory.
Embiid smiled and pumped his fists in the air as booing erupted. His teammates found it a funny moment and were also happy with the booing.
Joel Embiid enjoyed the booing from the French crowd after beating the host nation
LeBron James and the rest of his American teammates welcomed the crowd by booing Embiid
The Sixers center later performed the famous “suck it chop” made famous by wrestling stable D-Generation X.
None of his other teammates were booed.
According to The Athletic, Embiid, whose son was born in the US, is adamant he never made a commitment to France ahead of the Paris Olympics.
However, Siutat and the general manager of the French men’s team, Boris Diaw, disagree.
Former French player Frederic Weis also announced in the spring that he would deny him access to France.
“I hate him for what he did,” he said on his radio show on French channel RMC.
Joel Embiid won a gold medal with the US, but may try to play for Cameroon in 2028
“I don’t think he has any respect for France and for all those people who ask for a French passport and don’t get it.”
Before the gold medal game, Embiid indicated to reporters that he might consider playing for Cameroon in the 2028 Olympics, but would need permission from both FIBA and Team USA to do so.
If it’s any consolation to French fans, Embiid didn’t exactly perform well in the fight for the gold medal.
He scored just four points and played just 11 minutes, while Steve Kerr brought in Anthony Davis (20 minutes) and Bam Adebayo (nine minutes) to fill the minutes at center.