Joel Embiid was interested in playing for France this summer / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP Photo/Chris Szagola Credit AP Photo/Chris Szagola

The 2020-21 NBA MVP runner-up Joel Embiid might have joined the French national team for the 2022 EuroBasket if not for an injury, according to the team's general manager Boris Diaw.

Joel Embiid

Position:CAge:28Height:213 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Yaounde, CameroonProfileNewsStatistics

Diaw confirmed to the L'Equipe that the Philadelphia 76ers superstar is on his way to being registered as a French national team player after all the documentation is dealt with.

The former French national team captain, Diaw also said that Embiid could have been a part of the national team this summer if he didn't have surgery on his finger.

"His [Joel Embiid's] request for naturalization has been accepted," said Diaw.

"We know that he’s still waiting for the French passport. When he obtains it, then he can start the process and apply for a FIBA license for the national team," continued Diaw.

"He would've liked to play this summer if he hadn't been injured. But he underwent hand surgery and didn't return to basketball," Diaw revealed.

"It would've been too close, for him and Victor Wembanyama," Diaw added.

It is likely that the 5-time NBA All-Star Embiid will make his debut with the French national team in the 2023 World Cup.

In the 2021-22 NBA regular season, Embiid averaged a league-leading 30.6 points and 11.4 boards for the 76ers.

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