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[Saba Sports News] Joel Embiid might become an Olympic mercenary.
The Philadelphia 76ers star, currently playing for Team USA at the Paris Olympics, hinted at a potential switch to represent his native Cameroon in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“It’s been a good experience,” Embiid said, according to Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle. “Paris is great, but the next one is in LA. It might not be with Team USA; it might be with Cameroon.”
By 2028, Embiid will be 34 and could choose to represent Cameroon, his homeland, which didn’t qualify for this year’s Olympics. Despite considering playing for France, Embiid ultimately chose the U.S. for 2024, facing boos from the Paris crowd. To switch to Cameroon in 2028, Embiid would need a waiver from USA Basketball and FIBA.
Cameroon, featuring several NBA players like Pascal Siakam and Christian Koloko, is an emerging force in international basketball. If Embiid joins them in 2028, he might face less backlash in L.A. than in Paris.