Amid ongoing recruitment battle with Team USA’s basketball program, Boris Diaw is very much determined that Joel Embiid will eventually choose to represent the French national team.
Embiid earlier went to claim a French nationality in July. He followed it up by gaining an American passport in September – setting up a bidding rivalry for two basketball powerhouse nations to obtain the service of the Cameroonian-born big man.
Though there are no updates yet, Diaw noted the intent of Embiid gaining an American nationality is just to make his living much easier in the United States.
“There is no development since the last time we spoke,” Diaw said before the upcoming FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, per BasketNews. “The American nationality was something we knew for quite some time. It’s more to make his living in the United States easier.”
Diaw didn’t shy away from expressing his confidence that the All-Star big man will choose the Les Bleus program.
“Yes,” Diaw plainly said when asked if he believes they will be able to snag Embiid over Team USA.
As he holds multiple nationalities, Embiid only needs a clearance from FIBA in order to play as a French man.
This will hone their campaign for 2024 Olympic medal run as formidable, as Rudy Gobert is all ready to form a towering combination with him at front.
“He [Embiid] doesn’t have the FIBA license yet. But it would be nice if he could have it and play for the French national team.”
