On May 3, Beijing time, according to the French media "RMC Sport", Cameroonian star Embiid officially started the process of applying for French citizenship, and was naturalized as soon as June. Embiid plans to go to France at the end of June this year to complete the relevant documents and procedures for applying for naturalization in France, when Embiid will become a member of the French men's basketball team and represent the French men's basketball team in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games!
According to FIBA regulations, each national basketball team has a quota of naturalized players. However, the French men's basketball team has never used this power, so embiid can represent the French men's basketball team in international competitions as long as he successfully obtains French citizenship. Patrick Beasley, general manager of the French Basketball Association, made no secret of Embiid's desire to naturalize in France, Beasley said: "We already discussed the possibility of naturalization 2 years ago, and it is indeed possible for Joel (Embiid) to join the French men's basketball team. ”
This is really interesting, first of all, the strength of the French men's basketball team is not weak. At the Tokyo Olympics, the French men's basketball team successfully advanced to the final, and finally lost to the United States men's basketball team by 5 points. Previously, the U.S. men's basketball team was once called the "Dream Team", the main reason is that the U.S. men's basketball team has basically no opponents in international competitions. But times have changed, and even the NBA has produced a large number of outstanding international players, such as Doncic, who is currently playing for the Lone Ranger, who is a Slovenian player, which is a typical example.
If Embiid really succeeds in naturalizing France, then while the strength of the French men's basketball team is improved, the American men's basketball team will also be hit hard. After all, the dominance of the U.S. men's basketball team has gradually declined, and in the basketball final of the Tokyo Olympics, it only won the French men's basketball team by 5 points. If you add an Embiid, the interior line of the French men's basketball team will form a double tower of Gobert + Embiid, and Embiid joins forces with Gobert to attack the Olympic gold medal, which will definitely create a lot of trouble for the American men's basketball team.
Not only that, but Embiid himself is eager to prove himself in international competitions. Embiid was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, but he never represented Cameroon in international competitions. In fact, Embiid does not want to wear a Cameroonian jersey, but the Cameroonian men's basketball team is weak and it is difficult to emerge in the national competition. Since this is the case, Embiid naturally focuses on the NBA league and polishing his basketball level is more important.
As for why Embiid wants to naturalize in France, the main reason is that the 2024 Olympic Games are held in Paris, France, as long as Embiid successfully naturalizes in France, then he can still enjoy the home advantage, then the French home fans will cheer for Embiid, the time and place are favorable and the conditions are indeed very attractive! If Embiid really becomes a member of the French men's basketball team, do you think the French men's basketball team can win the Olympic gold medal? Feel free to leave your thoughts!