Joel Embiid will not play for France in 2023 FIBA World Cup / News - Basketnews.com

While France is still waiting for Embiid's decision, head coach Vincent Collet announced that the 76ers star will not play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup even if he were to choose France as the country he'd like to represent internationally.

Credit: Getty Images via AFP Credit Getty Images via AFP

The reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid has three passports - Cameroonian, American, and French - and is eligible to represent each of the three countries on the international stage. Although the center's decision is not clear yet, at least one option is now off the table.

Joel Embiid

Team:Philadelphia 76ersPosition:CAge:29Height:213 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Yaounde, CameroonProfileNewsStatistics

France's head coach Vincent Collet was part of the coaching clinic in Belgrade last week. In aninterview with Telegraf, he commented on the chance of Embiid joining the squad for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup.

"Not this year," he said about the Philadelphia 76ers star playing for France. "We don't know. It's up to him to decide. We wait for his decision and we hope [he chooses France]."

The French national team will have to do without the 2023 number 1 overall pick in NBA Draft Victor Wembanyama as the young phenom chose to focus on his debut on the other side of the Atlantic.

Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert has announced that he'll play for France. The team will play in Group H in the World Cup together with Canada, Latvia, and Lebanon.

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