Joel Embiid makes history as second African player to be named NBA MVP

Published on : 03/05/2023 – 08:16Modified : 03/05/2023 – 08:23

Originally, nothing predestined Joel Embiid to become an NBA star. The Cameroonian sportsman, who first played football then volleyball before becoming a basketball player at the age of 16, was named Tuesday, May 2, MVP of the regular season of the most prestigious basketball championship in the country. planet.

“I don’t know where to start, it’s been a long road, I’ve been through so much, there’s been a lot of work done. And I’m not just talking about basketball. It feels good to be where I am”, reacted the pivot in the program “NBA on TNT”.

The third time will have been good for the pivot of the Sixers, finalist in this trophy race – newly baptized Michael Jordan – in 2021 and 2022, each time preceded by Nikola Jokic.

Second, the Serb from the Denver Nuggets will not finally join the closed club of players elected MVP three years in a row, made up of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird. Third place went to the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, double winner in 2019 and 2020.

This accomplishment rewards the constant progress of Embiid, who finished as the championship’s top scorer for the past two seasons. In 2022-23, he averaged 33.1 points on 54.8%, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 blocks, improving his stats in almost every sector compared to the Previous exercice.

Beyond the numbers, he is rewarded for his considerable impact on the Sixers, who finished third in the regular season. However, the imposing pivot (2.13 m and 127 kg) is currently chomping at the bit, because a sprained right knee prevents him from helping his team in the play-offs, even if a return to the courts could take place this week. in the Eastern Conference semi-final against Boston (1-0).

Hakeem Olajuwon for model

His entry into the list of winners of this prestigious distinction consecrates for the fifth consecutive year a non-American player and extends the hegemony of versatile interiors, previously embodied by Jokic and Antetokounmpo.

The 29-year-old Cameroonian, ultra-dominant in attack and deterrent in defense, is often compared to Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the best pivots in history. And for good reason: the former star of the Houston Rockets, who shone with his technique, his movements, his agility, his toughness, crowned champion in 1994 and 1995, was his model in his learning of basketball, according to a course atypical.

While a volleyball career was reaching out to him, Joel Embiid started basketball late, at the age of 16. And a few months later, in 2010, he left Yaoundé for Florida where he entered high school, without speaking a word of English.

Drafted in 3rd position in 2014 by Philadelphia, he only made his professional debut two years later, due to a right foot injury. Not enough to kill “Jojo” who has since imposed his carcass and his immense talent, to better put Africa back on the NBA map – even if this continent provides more and more talent.

“I would like people to know through my journey that everything is possible in life, that it takes a lot of work, a little luck, but that everything is possible, whatever you want to do from the moment you believe. in what we do,” he said.

Joel Embiid was naturalized French then American in 2022. Enough to arouse the greed of these two selections one year before the Paris-2024 Olympics. He promised to make a decision on this upcoming sporting nationality, which Cameroon is also eagerly awaiting.

With AFP