Rudy Gobert on Embiid and French NT: 'You are either all in, or you're not' / News - Basketnews.com

Rudy Gobert says Joel Embiid is welcome to the French national team if his heart is with France's players and if he wants to do it for the right reasons.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

There is a realistic chance of seeing Joel Embiid playing for Les Bleus and lining up next to fellow 7-footers Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama, either in the FIBA World Cup 2023 or the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Free throws this season

81%18,6Points made:18,6Accuracy:80,8%Place in standings:15Record max:27Record min:10Most made FTs:Joel EmbiidTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Embiid gained citizenship in two countries in which he was not born within the span of two months. Born in Cameroon, the 28-year-old Embiid earned his French and American nationalities.

French NT star Rudy Gobert evaluated Embiid's possibility to play for France on the biggest international stage.

"If Joel's heart is with us and he wants to do it for the right reasons, it would be an amazing opportunity for our team," Gobert told Joe Vardon of The Athletic, also adding that "the international game is not about getting the best players on paper."

"For me, the most important thing is if his heart tells him to be a part of Team France," Gobert further commented.

"I want him to do it for the right reasons. As long as he understands that the French national team is different than the NBA. We have rules, we have things that we do. Sometimes we all have lunch and dinner together — it's not everybody doing their own thing. These are two different teams.

"It has to come from him," Gobert said. "You are either all in, or you're not. You can't just show up."

Boris Diaw, general manager of the 'Blues' and former NBA player, previously said he is confident Joel Embiid will play for France in near future.

However, in October, Marc Stein reported that Team USA will try swaying Embiid away from France in hopes that he can represent them in the upcoming international tournaments.

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.