It’s been an eventful week for Philadelphia 76ers’ young center Joel Embiid. He was satirized by The Ringer, been in touch with his former GM on Twitter and it has now been revealed that the Cameroonian big man has been cleared to play at game speed when training camp comes around in two weeks time, as per ESPN.

Since being selected as the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft by Philadelphia, Embiid has spent the last two years on the sidelines due to recurring back and foot injuries.

Speaking this week, Sixers head coach Brett Brown has confirmed that the former Kansas standout will play the forthcoming season with restrictions that are yet to be revealed. Many believe that the restrictions will include sitting out half of back-to-back trips.

Embiid has impressed the organization in private workouts and many fans have been excited by footage of him working out in an empty gym. As well as the much anticipated introduction of Ben Simmons and the debut of Croatian forward Dario Saric, fans in Philadelphia are excited to see if Embiid, despite his injury troubles, can anchor the defense of their young team as many previously forecast.

“He needs to be the crown jewel, the centerpiece of our defense,” Brown told the press.

Whilst Brown is naturally very cautious about introducing Embiid to full basketball activity at the highest level, he appears to be fairly optimistic.

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“Joel is on track to play,” Brown said Thursday. “We will learn more about the restrictions that will come his way. What I see so far gives us great reason to be extremely excited.”

After everything the Sixers have been through in the last few years, their struggles have led to them acquiring a wealth of young talent. This is the year in which the fans will expect progress and they hope that Embiid maintains health to be a part of it, as does a hopeful Brown.

“I think that the path has unfolded, sort of organically, with the injury, then the setback and now here he is. I think we could look back and say in an inverted, twisted type way, it has provided him a layer of growth,” Brown said. “I think he sees the world a little bit differently in relation to taking things far more seriously professionally. I see a more mature Joel Embiid today.”