Rudy Gobert welcomes Joel Embiid's potential addition to France NT / News - Basketnews.com

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

Joel Embiidobtaining the French nationality has launched discussions regarding his presence with the French national team.

Rudy Gobert

Team:Utah JazzPosition:CAge:30Height:216 cmWeight:111 kgBirth place:FranceProfileNewsStatistics

In the short term (the 2022 EuroBasket commencing in September), the Cameroon-born big man will certainly not be joining the squad. However, in the mid-term and with the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on the horizon, his potential call-up might provoke similar reactions with what's been happening in Spain following Lorenzo Brown's naturalization.

The debate agitates French basketball over the last days: Should Joel Embiid be selected now that he got the French passport? So far, Moustapha Fall has expressed his view on the subject.

"On the one hand, in terms of ethics, it can pose a problem because we never do that. But, on the other hand, we play by the rules. It's hard to have a definite opinion. If it's there, we'll have to deal with it. It's the law of sport: if there's someone better than you, he plays, it's simple," the 30-year-old big man told RMC the other day.

While other French players have preferred to remain silent, Rudy Gobert, for his part, didn't show to be opposed to the arrival of Sixers star at the Blues, in an interview with the 'Journal du Dimanche'.

"There's no player in the world like Joel Embiid," Gobert said. "So yes, I would like to see him one day with the jersey of the French team. It is up to the coach (Vincent Collet) to make this decision.

But no one can really say no to a talent like him. As long as it sticks to our team, our chemistry and our principles of play, and he is ready to adapt to it, he can be a very nice weapon for us," the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year said.

Rudy Gobert

MIN:32.18PTS:15.26 (69.92%)REB:14.54As:1.04ST:0.64BL:2TO:1.76GM:72ProfileNBA2021/2022

But Gobert also gave an idea of how the atmosphere in France about Embiid looks like. "We've talked a little on the subject," he admitted.

"We talked about it with Boris (Diaw, general manager of the 'Blues' and former NBA player). I think he consulted with every player, which is a good thing. We'll see if it becomes a little more realistic or not, but it's interesting to have this kind of debate.

And if Joel is selected, of course he will be welcomed. Although I can't speak for all the players," the new Minnesota center pointed out.

Gobert also revealed that he and Embiid had touched on the 28-year-old's hypothetical future integration with the main interested party.

"With Joel, we talked about this possibility a few years ago. It wasn't concrete yet but he told me he would like to play with us. His urge, obviously, has not dissipated, even if it has not yet been trumpeted," he concluded.

In the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, France will fight for one of the three top spots against Lithuania, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Hungary in Group K.

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