Joel Embiid is BOOED by French fans in Paris after US Olympics basketball star’s controversial decision to represent America
Joel Embiid was booed and jeered angrily during the United States men’s basketball team’s comfortable win over Serbia on Sunday.
The Philadelphia 76ers star player opted to play for the US instead of the host country in October, a decision that caused great unrest in France.
Fans attending the US basketball team’s opening game of the Olympic Games against Serbia on Sunday were outspoken about their feelings for the NBA star, who is originally from Cameroon.
He was always greeted with boos whenever he did anything on the pitch – whether it was during the pre-match introductions, when he came off the bench or when he touched the ball.
The anger likely stems from his decision not to play for France, which he was granted naturalised citizen status in 2022, despite never having lived there.
Joel Embiid was booed wildly during the US men’s basketball team’s victory over Serbia in Paris
The Philadelphia 76ers star opted to play for the US instead of the host country in October
French fans hoped he would play for the host country at the Paris Olympics alongside NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert.
He also had the option to play for Cameroon, but they were eliminated early in qualifying, leaving the US, where he will also be granted a passport in 2022.
Embiid has previously said he wanted to play for Team USA because his son was born there. But he has never said specifically why he chose the U.S. over France.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant opened the Paris Games and the U.S. battle for a fifth straight gold medal with a near-perfect performance on Sunday.
Durant made his first eight shots and scored 23 points, James added 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the U.S. defeated Serbia 110-84.
“This is the best game we’ve played so far,” James said after the Americans improved their record to 6-0 this summer, including 1-0 in the tournament that matters.
James and Durant combined on 18 of 22 attempts — eight of nine for Durant, nine of 13 for James — as the U.S. had no trouble keeping up with the reigning silver medalists at last summer’s World Cup in the Philippines.
Jrue Holiday scored 15 points, Devin Booker had 12 and Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry each added 11 for the US.