PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid, an All-Star center and recent recipient of the NBA MVP award, has his sights set on achieving his first NBA championship with the Philadelphia 76ers by the end of the decade. Alongside his Olympic gold medal, Embiid is eager to bring a title to Philadelphia while committing to remain with the team.
“Philadelphia is home,” Embiid shared on Instagram, expressing his love for the community and his desire to spend his entire career as a Sixer.
The 30-year-old star, a graduate of a Florida high school and a one-season player for Kansas, recently confirmed his commitment by posting a photo of himself signing a contract alongside team owner Josh Harris. The extension is worth $193 million and includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, as revealed by someone close to the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
As a seven-time NBA All-Star, Embiid’s lucrative deal adds him to the list of core players—along with Paul George and Tyrese Maxey—who have signed significant contracts this offseason, further solidifying the team’s ambition to compete for a championship. George left the Los Angeles Clippers to join the 76ers on a four-year, $212 million deal, while Maxey, the NBA’s Most Improved Player last season, signed a five-year, $204 million extension.
Despite the excitement surrounding the extensions, Embiid’s injury history remains a concern as he aims to lead the 76ers past the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, a hurdle he has yet to overcome. He has never played more than 68 games in a season, although he averaged an impressive 34.7 points in just 39 games last season.
Originally drafted by the 76ers as the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Embiid became the NBA MVP in the 2022-23 season and earned a gold medal with Team USA during the recent Paris Olympics. His accolades include five All-NBA Team selections, seven consecutive All-Star nominations from 2017-2024, three All-Defensive Team recognitions, and two scoring champion titles, underscoring his status as one of the game’s elite players.
“Joel has cemented himself as one of the greatest Sixers of all time and is well on his way to being one of the best players to ever play the game,” Harris stated. “We’re ecstatic that this extension keeps him and his family in Philadelphia for years to come. He is integral to this franchise’s quest for another NBA Championship.”
In his first 433 games for the franchise, Embiid has averaged 27.9 points per game while shooting 50.4%, along with 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks in just under 32 minutes of play. He stands as the franchise’s all-time leader in scoring average and has recorded eight 50-point games, demonstrating his scoring prowess and skill set.
Reflecting on his journey, Embiid expressed gratitude for his time in Philadelphia, stating, “I had no idea when I was drafted as a 20-year-old kid from Cameroon how lucky I was to be in Philadelphia. Through all the ups and downs, this city and the fans have been everything, and I am so grateful for how they’ve embraced me.”
Embiid’s basketball journey began when he switched from soccer to basketball in his teenage years. Encouraged by a friend to pursue basketball, he attended a camp conducted by NBA veteran Luc Mbah a Moute, who was instrumental in helping him move to Florida and enroll at Montverde Academy, one of the nation’s top high school programs. After just one season at Kansas, he jumped to the NBA, where he has transformed into one of the top players of his generation.
As the 76ers aim to reclaim their championship glory—having not won since 1983—they are banking on the success of their star-studded roster, with Embiid leading the charge. The team believes they are on the verge of a new era of success.
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