Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid may be looking to extend his basketball popularity outside of the United States.
France is reportedly attempting to pursue Embiid to play for its national team Les Bleus, per Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops.net. Patrick Beesley, the team's general manager, confirmed the news during the NBA's recent trip to London that the team was looking to add Embiid.
“Why not?” Beesley said about Embiid playing for France when asked on ‘Grand Week-End Sport” TV show. “It’s possible if he wishes and if the right steps are taken. It’s hard to say no, given the player’s strength and potential. So if he’ll be available, he has all the conditions to play.”
Beesley will travel to the USA next month to discuss this possibility with the Sixers big guy. Afterall, it won’t be the first time that the two sides examine the option of working together.
Beesley also said that he has been trying to talk with Embiid about joining the French national team for some time now.
“We were in contact two or three years ago and approaches were made from each side,” Beesley said. “We covered some ground but the talks didn’t go any further. We’re at the same stage as we were three years ago. So why not? We’ll get back in touch to find out exactly if there’s anything to go further. I’ll go to the USA in February, so I will take the opportunity to meet with him directly.”
Joel Embiid is already immensely popular in the states as a member of the Sixers, and he certainly has international appeal based on how he plays and his overall personality. If this happened, it would only be good for basketball as a whole.
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