We're talking about Joel Embiid in Blue.
The idea of integrating the Cameroonian star with the Blues resurfaced on Monday,
RMC telling
us that the said Embiid "
has initiated administrative procedures to obtain French nationality and be able to play with the French basketball team
".
Our colleagues suggest that the 28-year-old pivot has even planned to come to France this summer to settle all the administrative issues related to this subject.
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If necessary, it would then be up to Vincent Collet, the tricolor coach, to decide, knowing that each national team can integrate a naturalized player, no more.
Les Bleues have made use of this exception with Franco-Americans Gabby Williams and Bria Hartley in recent years, while Les Bleus have been reluctant to do so for a long time.
“
The problem is unrelated naturalizations, when players take a passport in 48 hours in a country where they have never set foot.
Embiid has a link with France
", said the current General Manager of Team France Basket Patrick Beesley, in 2018, in
L'Equipe
, when the subject "
Embiid in the French team
» had been addressed publicly for the first time, two years after discussions which had not filtered.
Read also Tony Parker: "In principle, Joel Embiid should not be in the France team"
And for good reason, Embiid had declared this a few days before the release of Beesley: “
I do not come from France, but it would be a great opportunity.
I have family there.
So far, I haven't had an offer, from Cameroon, France or elsewhere, but you never know.
»
The Blues not lacking in post 5
Remember that the French breeding ground is already rich in terms of pivots, with the three-time best defender in the NBA, Rudy Gobert, at the head of the line, whose former Chicago star Scottie Pippen sings the praises in an interview with
Le Figaro
. .
Tomorrow, the post is also promised to the Villeurbannaise unicorn Victor Wembanyama (18 years old, 2.19m).
But Joel Embiid, five times All Star, is heavy.
An extraordinary offensive talent, a sunny personality, a warrior... Quite simply, one of the best pivots and the best players on the basketball planet.
If he could tap on an Embiid / Gobert duo, Vincent Collet would not be unhappy.
There is my country (Cameroon), France, the United States too: I just want to be in a good system
Joel Embiid in 2018
It remains to be seen whether, this time, the project will come to an end.
If he "
loves (his) country
" and calls himself a "
patriot
", Joel Embiid does not intend to respond to the Cameroonian sirens without having the assurance that he will find coherent infrastructures and "
a good medical setting.
So, there is my country, there is France, there is the United States too.
I just want to be in a good system
, ”he summed up in 2018, specifying that the Philadelphia Sixers will obviously have their say.
Read alsoEmbiid: "With me, France has a better chance of winning, right?"
The other players of the France team too.
Moreover, some were not deprived to take a position against the possible arrival of Joel Embiid, including Evan Fournier and Edwin Jackson.
“
In principle
”, Tony Parker admitted to sharing this opposition.
"
I did not expect it
," Embiid replied at the time, surprised at this outcry.
And to continue: “
I understand their point of view, because if a player arrives in your country, it is one place less.
Maybe that's the problem… I don't know who is the best in the France team.
Maybe there's the possibility it's me (smiles).
(...) If I come, it gives you a better chance of winning, right?
It's the goal to win!
“, he added, referring to his dream of playing the Olympics.
The next ones will be played in Paris...