Joel Embiid is a superstar center of the Philadelphia 76ers. He hails from Yaoundé, Cameroon and immigrated to the USA at the age of 16. Embiid, nicknamed ‘The Process’ is a seven-time NBA All-Star and made All-NBA teams five times. All-NBA First Team once in 2023 and All-NBA Second Team four times - 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022. Embiid has won the two scoring titles in 2022 and 2023 and by doing so, he became only the first foreign player in history to lead the NBA in scoring. He also became the first center since Moses Malone in 1982 to average more than 30 points per game.
Joel Embiid won the 2023 NBA MVP and he is often hailed as one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He is an efficient scorer and a great rim protector. Ever since the Philadelphia 76ers selected him in the 2014 NBA draft with the 3rd overall pick, Embiid has been a franchise star for them. In his 9-year career in the NBA, Joel Embiid has averaged a solid 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Joel Embiid represented Team USA and won the Gold medal.
Where did Joel Embiid attend college?
Joel Embiid attended the University of Kansas in the 2013-14 college year. Embiid’s basketball talent quickly became evident as he took the court during the college season for the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team. In the 2013-2014 college season, Joel Embiid played alongside future NBA star Andrew Wiggins. Embiid quickly emerged as one of the top centers in college basketball.
In his freshman season, Embiid played in 28 games for Kansas and averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in just over 23 minutes per game. Before playing basketball seriously, Embiid used to play Volleyball back in Cameroon which improved Embiid’s jumping and shot-blocking ability, which was quite helpful for him while playing basketball too as he set a Kansas freshman record with 72 blocks. Embiid had over 15 points in seven games and five or more blocks in six games. At the end of the season, Joel Embiid was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and All-Big 12 Second Team. He also made the Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Newcomer teams and was a finalist for the Wayman Tisdale Award, given to the nation’s top freshman.
Unfortunately, Joel Embiid’s season was cut short in March 2014 due to a stress fracture in his back. This injury forced him to miss the Big 12 tournament and NCAA tournament, and without their star center, Kansas lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Despite his limited time on the court, Embiid left a lasting impression on Kansas. His field goal percentage of 62.6% set a record for Kansas freshmen, as did his rebounding average of 8.1 per game. He completed his freshman season with eight double-doubles, as he impacted the game with his defense and athleticism.
Joel Embiid High School
Joel Embiid High School was Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, and the Rock School in Gainesville, Florida. Embiid was a five-star athlete in high school.
Embiid’s basketball journey towards US high school basketball began at 15 after he attended one of Luc Richard Mbah a Moute’s camps in Cameroon and soon got discovered by Luc Mbah a Moute. After a rapid rise as a talented basketball player, Embiid moved to the USA to attend Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida which is Mbah a Moute’s alma mater.
However, Joel Embiid decided to attend the Rock School in Florida, because he did not receive proper game time at Monteverde. At Rock School, Embiid flourished as a senior and led them to a 33-4 record, while winning the state championship. In his senior season for the Rock School, Embiid averaged 13 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
FAQs on Joel Embiid College
A. Joel Embiid is 30 years old as of November 2024.
A. Thomas Embiid and his wife, Christine are the parents of Joel Embiid. Thomas Embiid is a military officer.
A. Joel Embiid wears jersey #21 for the Philadelphia 76ers.
A. Joel Embiid has won the NBA MVP award once in the 2022-23 season.
A. Joel Embiid is rated 96 in NBA 2k25.
A. Joel Embiid’s wingspan measures 7 feet 5 inches.