Philadelphia 76ers All-Star big man Joel Embiid pledged $500,000 to coronavirus relief and research efforts earlier this year. The Sixers big man, who grew up in Africa, says it was important for him to give back since his parents always told him to:

“Being where I’m from, the way I grew up, I saw a lot of struggle,” Joel Embiid told Sixers.com.

“Being in my position, where I have the power to change people’s lives, and to help people, it’s just me. I didn’t even have to think twice about it. That’s the way my parents raised me, that’s the way I was brought up. Add in the fact that growing up in Africa, in Cameroon, all the struggle that I saw – it’s only right for me to make that kind of gesture… I want to keep doing it, and help as many people as I can.”

Embiid was also planning to help Sixers employees who would suffer financially because of salary reductions the franchise intended to implement with the NBA season suspended. However, Sixers managing partner Josh Harris changed course and decided to pay all employees their full salaries.

The Sixers are among the 22 teams that will be playing at Walt Disney World. Embiid was averaging 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 44 games in 2019-20 before games were suspended in March. While the big man has acknowledged he hasn't played up to par this season, he's ready to change that narrative.

Philadelphia will ultimately go as far as Embiid and Ben Simmons can lead the franchise. The Sixers have lost in the second round of the playoffs in back to back postseasons.

Embiid may be a villain on the court to some fans. However, it's clear the Sixers star has a great heart off the floor.