Joel Embiid
Born 1994 · Age 32
Cameroonian-American professional basketball center for the Philadelphia 76ers. 2023 NBA MVP, two-time NBA scoring champion (2022, 2023), seven-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist (2024). Nicknamed "The Process."
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Joel Hans Embiid was born to Thomas and Christine Embiid in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Began playing basketball
Originally a volleyball and soccer player, Embiid started playing basketball at age 15 and modeled his game after Hakeem Olajuwon.
Enrolled at Montverde Academy (FL)
Embiid enrolled at Montverde Academy (Mbah a Moute's alma mater) in Florida; transferred after his first year due to lack of playing time.
Discovered and mentored by Luc Mbah a Moute; moved to U.S.
Spotted at a camp by fellow Yaoundé native Luc Mbah a Moute, Embiid moved to the United States at age 16 to pursue basketball and education.
Transferred to The Rock School (Gainesville, FL)
Transferred to The Rock School where he would develop into a top high-school prospect.
Committed to Kansas
As a five-star recruit, Embiid committed to the University of Kansas in November 2012.
Enrolled at University of Kansas; played 2013–14 season
Played one season with the Kansas Jayhawks (2013–14), averaging 11.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG and 2.6 BPG over 28 games.
Ruled unlikely to play 2014–15 (foot injury)
After the June surgery, Embiid was unlikely to play in 2014–15 and ultimately missed the entire season due to the navicular injury.
Named Naismith College Player of the Year finalist (30)
Named one of 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year on Feb 13, 2014.
Stress fracture in back; missed Big 12/NCAA tournaments
Suffered a stress fracture in his back in March 2014 and missed the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.
Declared for 2014 NBA Draft
Forgoing remaining college eligibility, Embiid declared for the 2014 NBA draft.
Surgery on broken navicular bone
Underwent surgery for a broken navicular bone in his right foot on June 20, 2014; initially ruled out 4–6 months.
Drafted 3rd overall by Philadelphia 76ers
Selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers — highest draft position for a Cameroon-born player.
Signed rookie scale contract with 76ers
Signed rookie scale contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on August 26, 2014.
Younger brother Arthur died in Cameroon
Embiid's younger brother Arthur died in a car crash on October 16, 2014.
Setback in recovery revealed by CT scan
On June 13, 2015, a CT scan showed less healing than anticipated; recovery setback announced.
Second surgery on right foot; missed 2015–16 season
Underwent a second surgery on his right foot (navicular) on Aug 18, 2015; missed 2015–16 season.
Adopted nickname "The Process"
Embiid embraced the 76ers' rebuilding era by nicknaming himself "The Process," a nickname he popularized early in his career.
First preseason start for 76ers (returned to court)
Started at center in the 76ers' preseason opener vs Boston Celtics on Oct 4, 2016 — first live action since injuries.
NBA regular-season debut
Made NBA regular-season debut on Oct 26, 2016 vs Oklahoma City Thunder with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 25 minutes.
First career double-double
Recorded first career double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) on Nov 1, 2016 vs Orlando Magic.
Named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (Oct/Nov)
Awarded Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month on Dec 1 for games played in Oct/Nov 2016.
Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team (2016–17)
Despite limited to 31 games in 2016–17, Embiid was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (Dec)
Awarded Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month on Jan 3 for December play.
Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week
Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Jan 16–22, 2017.
Named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (Jan) and Rising Stars participant
On Feb 2, 2017 he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January and selected as a Taco Bell Skills Challenge participant and Rising Stars roster member.
Torn meniscus revealed; later surgery
A torn meniscus in his left knee was revealed on Feb 11, 2017; initially surgery not required but injury affected availability.
Arthroscopic surgery on left knee; season ended
Underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on March 24, 2017 to address the meniscus tear and missed the rest of 2016–17.
Signed 5-year, $148M rookie-scale maximum extension
Signed a five-year, $148 million designated rookie scale maximum extension (with up to $30M in incentives) with the 76ers on Oct 10, 2017.
Career-high 46 points (Nov 15, 2017)
Scored a then-career-high 46 points and grabbed 15 rebounds on Nov 15, 2017 — first Sixer to score that many in 11 years.
Named to All-NBA/All-Defensive honors (start of multi-year run)
By this period Embiid began an era of consistent All-NBA and All-Defensive recognitions (All-NBA Second Team appearances and All-Defensive Team selections followed in subsequent years).
Named starter for 2018 NBA All-Star Game
Selected as an All-Star starter on Jan 18, 2018 — first Philadelphia starter since Allen Iverson (2009–10).
Orbital fracture of left eye; surgery
Suffered an orbital fracture in his left eye on Mar 28, 2018 and underwent surgery three days later.
NBA playoff debut — Game 3 vs Miami (2018)
Made playoff debut on Apr 19, 2018 (Game 3 vs Miami) scoring 23 points to help 76ers take 2–1 lead in series.
Recorded first career triple-double
Recorded his first career triple-double (19 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) on Nov 14, 2018 vs Orlando.
Multiple regular-season historic milestone games (2018–19 season)
During 2018–19 Embiid posted numerous historic stat-lines: 40/21 on Dec 14, 2018; 39/17 on Nov 3; 42/18 on Nov 9; finished season averaging 27.5 PPG and 13.6 RPG.
Suspended two games (altercation with Karl-Anthony Towns)
On Oct 31, 2019 Embiid was suspended two games without pay after an on-court altercation with Karl-Anthony Towns.
Season-high 39 points (Feb 20, 2020)
Scored 39 points (plus 16 rebounds) to lead Philadelphia to overtime win vs Brooklyn on Feb 20, 2020.
Then-career high 49 points (Feb 24, 2020)
Set a then-career high with 49 points and 14 rebounds in a win vs Atlanta on Feb 24, 2020.
41 points, 21 rebounds in Orlando bubble game
Scored 41 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in the Sixers' first game in the NBA bubble (Aug 1, 2020) following the COVID-19 hiatus.
Career-high 50 points and 17 rebounds (Feb 20, 2021)
Recorded a then-career-high 50 points and 17 rebounds in a 112–105 win vs Chicago on Feb 20, 2021.
Donated $100,000 of All-Star winnings to fight homelessness (Mar 2021)
Donated his $100,000 2021 All-Star Game winnings to fight homelessness in Philadelphia; received NBA Cares Community Assist Award in April 2021.
NBA MVP runner-up; team best record in East
Finished 2020–21 regular season averaging 28.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG; finished second in MVP voting.
Signed 4-year, $196M extension with 76ers
On Aug 17, 2021 Embiid signed a four-year, $196 million extension with Philadelphia.
Named NBA scoring champion (2021–22 season)
Led the NBA in scoring in 2021–22, averaging 30.6 PPG — first center to lead scoring since Shaquille O'Neal (2000).
Matched career high with 50 points (Jan 19, 2022)
Scored 50 points (17-for-23 shooting) with 12 rebounds and 3 blocks against Orlando on Jan 19, 2022.
40-14-10 triple-double (Feb 12, 2022)
Logged a 40-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double on Feb 12, 2022 — his fourth career triple-double and first 40-point triple-double since Wilt Chamberlain (1968) for the franchise.
41 points & season-high 20 rebounds (Apr 9, 2022)
Scored 41 with 20 rebounds on Apr 9, 2022; joined rare company of 40/20 games with 80%+ shooting.
Game-winning three vs Toronto; thumb injury (Apr 20, 2022)
Hit a game-winning three with under 1 second left in OT on Apr 20, 2022 vs Raptors; injured his thumb during game and later required surgery.
Right thumb surgery and left index finger procedure
Underwent right thumb surgery and a procedure on his left index finger on May 30, 2022 following the playoffs.
Granted French citizenship
In July 2022 Embiid was granted French citizenship for exceptional interest.
Became U.S. citizen
In September 2022 Embiid was naturalized as a U.S. citizen.
Career-high 59 points (Nov 13, 2022)
Scored a career-high 59 points (plus 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 7 blocks) vs Utah Jazz on Nov 13, 2022 — historic all-around game.
53 points and 11 rebounds (Dec 11, 2022)
Scored 53 points and 11 rebounds on Dec 11, 2022 vs Charlotte, becoming third 76er with multiple 50-point games in a season.
Founded Miniature Géant production studio (partnership with SpringHill)
Founded Miniature Géant in 2023 with LeBron James's SpringHill Company; studio focuses on African storytelling and sports-related projects.
10,000th career point (Feb 15, 2023)
Scored his 10,000th career point on Feb 15, 2023, becoming the fastest Sixer to reach the mark (373 games).
Scored 52 on 20/25 shooting (Apr 4, 2023)
Scored 52 points on 20-of-25 shooting with 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks on Apr 4, 2023 — one of rare 50–10–5 lines at 80%+ FG.
Named NBA scoring champion (2022–23)
Led the league again in scoring in 2022–23 with 33.1 PPG — second straight scoring title.
Won NBA Most Valuable Player Award (2023)
Won the 2023 NBA MVP, becoming the fifth 76er to win MVP (joining Chamberlain, Erving, Iverson, Malone).
Miniature Géant announced film/documentary projects (2024)
Miniature Géant announced projects in 2024 including a Memphis Depay documentary and Backline, a narrative feature about African athletes entering American football.
Scored 70 points (Jan 22, 2024) — franchise record
Recorded 70 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists vs the San Antonio Spurs on Jan 22, 2024 — breaking the 76ers franchise single-game scoring record (previously Wilt Chamberlain).
Lateral meniscus injury (left knee) announced
On Feb 1, 2024 Embiid was announced to have a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee after contact during a game and missed multiple games.
Returned from knee surgery (Apr 2, 2024)
Returned from knee surgery on Apr 2, 2024 and scored 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a win vs Oklahoma City Thunder.
Playoff career-high 50 points in Game 3 vs Knicks (Apr 25, 2024)
Scored a playoff-career-high 50 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists in Game 3 of the first round vs the New York Knicks.
Disclosed diagnosis of Bell's Palsy after Game 3 (Apr 25, 2024)
Revealed in a postgame press conference that he had been dealing with Bell's Palsy, migraines and blurred vision during the playoffs.
Recorded first playoff triple-double (Game 5)
Recorded his first playoff triple-double in Game 5 (19 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 blocks) in an overtime win vs the Knicks.
Won Olympic gold medal with Team USA (Paris 2024)
Represented Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics and won a gold medal, averaging 11.2 PPG and 3.8 RPG over 5 games.
Signed 3-year, $193M extension (Sep 19, 2024)
On Sep 19, 2024 Embiid signed a three-year, $193 million extension, keeping him under contract through 2028–29.
Shoved a reporter after a loss (Nov 2, 2024)
On Nov 2, 2024 Embiid shoved a reporter in the locker room following a loss; incident related to alleged reporting about his family.
Received three-game suspension (Nov 5, 2024)
On Nov 5, 2024 Embiid was suspended three games for the altercation; suspension deferred until he returned from injury.
Team meeting: Tyrese Maxey accused Embiid of lateness
Reportedly in an hour-long internal meeting on Nov 21, 2024, teammate Tyrese Maxey accused Embiid of frequently being late to team activities.
Sneaker deal with Skechers announced
In 2024 Embiid announced a sneaker endorsement deal with Skechers.
Returned from left knee injury; recorded triple-double (Feb 4, 2025)
Returned after a 15-game absence on Feb 4, 2025 and posted a triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in a win over Dallas.
Out for remainder of 2024–25 season due to left knee (announced Feb 28, 2025)
On Feb 28, 2025 the 76ers announced Embiid would miss the rest of the season because of ongoing left knee issues.
Arthroscopic surgery on left knee (Apr 11, 2025)
Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Apr 11, 2025.
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