Joel Embiid's Journey From Cameroon To The NBA All-Star Game

Joel Embiid's Journey From Cameroon To The NBA All-Star Game

Joel Embiid hit the genetic lottery. By the time he was 17 he was 6 foot 10 and was freakishly athletic. He was a candidate for the Cameroon National Volleyball team, and basketball was only an afterthought, but a man named Joe Touomou had other plans. Word had got around about the kid who was abnormally tall and agile on his feet. Joe Touomou, the first D1 basketball player out of Cameroon, saw the insane amount of potential that Embiid had. He even went down to see Embiid in person.

Shocked by Embid's stature, Joe invited Embiid to the Nba players, Luc Mbah a Moute's camp in Cameroon. Before the camp began, Embiid had a lot of work to do. Before this encounter, Embiid's basketball experience consisted of him going to the local park and imitating the late great Kobe Bryant's moves against the Magic in 2009. Every time he would shoot, he would yell "KOBE."

Due to this lack of experience, Embiid trained under Coach Moudio 3 months before camp. He had to sharpen up his skills as quickly as possible if he wanted any chance at taking this basketball pipe dream to the next level.

3 months later, it was finally time for Embiid to attend the camp he had worked so hard for. Embiid was anxious, but there was nothing he could do now. It was time for him to step up and show Luc Mbah a Moute that he deserves a shot. Unfortunately, Embiid's anxiousness got the better of him.

On day 1 of the camp, Joel Embid did not show up and his coach had noticed his unusual absence. The next morning, Coach Moudio, went to Embid's house and found him playing video games with his little brother. Making sure Embid did not miss another day of the camp, Coach Moudio escorted Embid personally.

Still anxious, it was time for Embid to go out and just play basketball. He had already missed a day, but it did not matter. In one play, a young Embid caught an off-target pass in the post and pulled off a Hakeem Olajuwon esque post-move. He did a quick dribble, then drop stepped past the defender, and exploded to the hoop. Luc Mbah a Moute was left in awe and even said that he knew people in the Nba that could not pull off that move.

After his performance at the camp, Embid got invited to the Basketball Without Borders Camp. He once again showed out and was sent to the US to play at the Montverde Academy in Florida, which is where Luc Mbah a Moute went just 8 years ago. When he was leaving Cameroon, Embid's little brother was devastated. He did not know when he would see his beloved older brother again, but Embid had to leave for a chance at a better life for his family.

Embid's rise to NBA superstardom was just starting here. When arriving at Montverde, Embid did not know a lick of English. The only words he knew were "Good Morning." He learned English by listening to comedians and rappers, but the day finally came where Embid stepped on the basketball court. At his first few practices, he made a complete fool of himself. He could not catch a ball, barely could dribble, and sometimes would miss layups. He was completely out of his element, and it would not help that his teammates would make fun of him constantly.

This is where Embid's high school coach, Kevin Boyle dropped a legendary quote, "'You laugh now, but in five years you are all going to go to Joel to borrow money because he's going to be rich."

Fast-forwarding a year, Embid had completely rounded out his game. He was a much more polished and explosive player. He had also grown to 7 feet tall, which definitely improved his odds. Scouts were pouring in from all around the nation to watch the explosive 7-foot teenager from Cameroon. While he was doing this, he would constantly communicate with his family back home. He would always tell them he was fine, even though he was desperately missing them.

Now it was finally time for Embid to pick a college that he wanted to attend. The good news, almost every school in the nation wanted Embid on their roster, but the bad news, Embid did not even know what the NCAA was. Thankfully, Embid had Luc Mbah a Moute to guide him through the whole process. In the end, he decided to go to Kansas where he would only spend one year.

Once again, Embid did not believe in himself in the beginning. He finds himself full of anxiety, just like Luc Mbah a Moute's camp a few years ago. After the first practice at Kansas, he went to the coach said, "I don't belong here." The coach was flabbergasted and told Embid, " "Are you kidding? You will be the No. 1 pick in the NBA in two years."

Embid did not believe him at first, but after a dominant freshman collegiate season, Embid entered the draft as a one and done prospect. The coach was a little off, but Embid was picked by the Philadelphia 76ers with the third pick in the draft and the rest is history.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
2024 WNBA Draft Recap: Caitlin Clark Goes No. 1, Fever and Sparks Shine

2024 WNBA Draft Recap: Caitlin Clark Goes No. 1, Fever and Sparks Shine

The 2024 WNBA Draft saw the Indiana Fever select Caitlin Clark with the first overall pick, adding...

ByBen Gauthier | Tue Apr 16 2024
Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

In the increasingly digital world we live in, it comes as no surprise that sports engagement and...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Aug 24 2023
Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the board, revolutionizing the way...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Aug 21 2023
USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

The Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns have announced their support for USA Football's...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu May 04 2023
Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

A new season means new events and opportunities for volleyball athletes across Canada. As the...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Thu Mar 30 2023
Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

The sports industry is undergoing rapid change, putting pressure on organizations to keep pace. To...

ByJoey Grant | Mon Feb 06 2023
How Organizations Are Finding Athletes and Success on GMTM

How Organizations Are Finding Athletes and Success on GMTM

Over the past year, organizations have been utilizing GMTM to better engage with athletes and to...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jan 05 2023
Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

2019 was a transformative year in NCAA athletics. The NCAA Transfer Portal, a database which allows...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sun Dec 11 2022
How Climbing Canada Successfully Qualified Athletes Without In-Person Events

How Climbing Canada Successfully Qualified Athletes Without In-Person Events

During the pandemic, many sports organizations had to get creative and find new ways of interacting...

ByTiffany Allen | Sun Dec 11 2022
Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Getting ranked - it’s the ultimate goal and source of motivation for many basketball players across...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Dec 04 2022
How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a great platform that is beneficial to student-athletes. It allows...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 02 2022
"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

High School basketball players like Bronny James are all over TV and social media nowadays, with...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 01 2022
Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Unlike the United States, European countries do not have high school athletics. It is a completely...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

They’re one of the most crucial aspects to a college sports viewing experience. The players?...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 21 2022
Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, GMTM, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook... Social media is a...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sat Nov 19 2022
Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Part two of some of the best division 1 college football game day traditions throughout the United...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

One of the best parts about college football are the traditions that have been around for decades....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
WNBA Star Denied Appeal To 9-Year Prison Sentence In Russia

WNBA Star Denied Appeal To 9-Year Prison Sentence In Russia

Brittney Griner was dealt another blow in her hopes to return home to the U.S. Tuesday. The WNBA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 26 2022
What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

As the 2022 college football season gets underway, there are many behemoth matchups on the calendar...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Sep 25 2022
What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

More than most sports, the fundamentals of Football change greatly depending on which position you...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Fri Sep 16 2022
How UConn Has Dominated Women’s College Basketball

How UConn Has Dominated Women’s College Basketball

Women’s College Basketball and UConn are two terms that you will often hear together as they have...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 01 2022
Five Ways To Gain A College Basketball Coach’s Attention in the First Correspondence

Five Ways To Gain A College Basketball Coach’s Attention in the First Correspondence

Whether by writing a letter or sending an e-mail, reaching out to a college basketball coach for...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Thu Aug 25 2022
An Olympic Athlete’s Road to Success: Andrew Mackiewicz

An Olympic Athlete’s Road to Success: Andrew Mackiewicz

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to compete at the highest level of a sport and...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Aug 22 2022
Name, Image, & Likeness: Duke, Kentucky remain popular destinations for college basketball recruits

Name, Image, & Likeness: Duke, Kentucky remain popular destinations for college basketball recruits

The name, image, and likeness of college athletes has been a topic of discussion for several years,...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Aug 02 2022
Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

While most fans are familiar with the prestigious football schools of the NCAA's Division I, the...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Jul 28 2022
Basketball Recruiting: Do the top high school teams get more attention from college coaches?

Basketball Recruiting: Do the top high school teams get more attention from college coaches?

If you are a basketball fan, player, or coach, you’ve often heard about or have watched some of the...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Fri Jul 22 2022
Distracting Game Film? Here are six types of videographers to avoid during your biggest games

Distracting Game Film? Here are six types of videographers to avoid during your biggest games

If you desire to get recruited to play college basketball, it’s paramount that you record games,...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Jul 15 2022
Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

If you are a part of the gymnastics world, people often ask questions like, " Exactly how wide is...

ByTiana Schoney | Thu Jul 07 2022
College Visit: Three Ways To Determine If a Basketball Coach Is The Right Fit

College Visit: Three Ways To Determine If a Basketball Coach Is The Right Fit

The atmosphere is electric: bands playing trendy music, a packed arena or stadium full of screaming...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Thu Jun 30 2022
Three Retired NBA Superstars Who Were Cut From Their High School Teams

Three Retired NBA Superstars Who Were Cut From Their High School Teams

It’s easy for fans to look at the current version of their favorite NBA players and think “they...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Jun 21 2022
Where to find the most Division III football championships

Where to find the most Division III football championships

At nearly 500 miles apart, two small Midwestern cities play host to a pair of college campuses. At...

ByBrice Odel | Thu Jun 16 2022
How Does a Walk-On Program Work for a Typical College Basketball Program?

How Does a Walk-On Program Work for a Typical College Basketball Program?

Everyone can picture the scene on Signing Day for ascending high school seniors who have been...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue May 10 2022
What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

Another cold, barren football offseason is now upon us. As the Los Angeles Rams lifted the Lombardi...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun May 01 2022
Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

College sports has had another topsy turvy summer with regards to major college sports programs...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Apr 05 2022
Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Everywhere sports fans turn, it seems like more teams are being allowed to compete for titles. The...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Jan 20 2022
Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

University of Wisconsin La-Crosse [https://uwlathletics.com/sports/womens-gymnastics] has one of...

ByTiana Schoney | Tue Jan 04 2022
Which 3 Teams Can Win The Division I Men’s Soccer Championship?

Which 3 Teams Can Win The Division I Men’s Soccer Championship?

NCAA men’s soccer has kicked off within the past several weeks, and there are a bunch of very...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Oct 24 2021
The Top Women’s College Volleyball Players To Watch This Year

The Top Women’s College Volleyball Players To Watch This Year

NCAA Division I women’s volleyball is off to a flying start. As outlined in this...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Oct 22 2021
College Basketball: NCAA Discusses Combining Future Men’s and Women’s Final Fours

College Basketball: NCAA Discusses Combining Future Men’s and Women’s Final Fours

When we tune into March Madness for the men and women’s NCAA basketball tournament, we’re used to...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sat Oct 09 2021
Celebrating the Pre-Eminent Elder Stateswoman of College Sports Fandom

Celebrating the Pre-Eminent Elder Stateswoman of College Sports Fandom

Any time anyone lives to be 102 years old, major props and a celebration are in order. When the...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Sep 29 2021
How Will Arizona Wildcats Basketball Look Moving Forward?

How Will Arizona Wildcats Basketball Look Moving Forward?

The University of Arizona basketball program has been among the most successful in the country over...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Sep 26 2021
Division III Cross Country Runs Into Re-Alignment

Division III Cross Country Runs Into Re-Alignment

Changes are coming to the NCAA Division III cross country regional model that has been in...

ByAndrew Pistone | Fri Sep 24 2021
Division III to the Miami Heat: The Intriguing Career of NBA Star Duncan Robinson

Division III to the Miami Heat: The Intriguing Career of NBA Star Duncan Robinson

Duncan Robinson has had a career that has taken a young kid from Maine to the highest peaks and of...

ByJamison White | Thu Sep 16 2021
NCAA Field Hockey Officiating Leadership Update

NCAA Field Hockey Officiating Leadership Update

With the impending retirement of current NCAA Field Hockey National Coordinator of Officials Steve...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Sep 16 2021
The Curious Football Coach Who Calls Plays Like A Video Game

The Curious Football Coach Who Calls Plays Like A Video Game

Football coaches all have their own approach to the game. Some, like Chip Kelly, are known to be...

ByJamison White | Wed Sep 15 2021
Esports: Will they ever match up to major college athletics?

Esports: Will they ever match up to major college athletics?

eSports are a medium of entertainment that is rapidly expanding as of late. From first-person...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Tue Sep 14 2021
Rethinking Female Team Names In College Sports

Rethinking Female Team Names In College Sports

The Baylor Lady Bears women’s basketball team made an emphatic statement last week. Don’t call us...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Sep 13 2021
Women’s Soccer: Three Division-I Teams Who Can Win A National Title This Year

Women’s Soccer: Three Division-I Teams Who Can Win A National Title This Year

As the 2021-2022 NCAA Women’s soccer season enters its second full month of play, it’s a good time...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sat Sep 11 2021
FCS Football: A Recap of Week 1 Games

FCS Football: A Recap of Week 1 Games

Week 1 was an eventful stretch of football for the FBS. We saw upsets, nailbiters, blowouts and...

ByCorey Ghee | Fri Sep 10 2021
Men's Golf: A breakdown of the Division-I college season

Men's Golf: A breakdown of the Division-I college season

The Pepperdine Waves were crowned National Champions at Grayhawk Golf Club last June. They defeated...

ByBrice Odel | Fri Sep 10 2021