Steve Kerr hopeful Joel Embiid will be healthy for 2024 Summer Olympics: ‘Our fingers are crossed’
Kerr, the Golden State Warriors’ coach, is also the head coach of Team USA.
Steve Kerr has been texting with the 76ers’ Joel Embiid in recent days, and hoped to say hello to the NBA’s reigning MVP during Golden State’s visit to Philly Wednesday night.
It’s not just because the Warriors coach cares about Embiid and the health of the league’s stars, because “they’re the ones who really drive the entertainment.” Kerr also is the head coach of Team USA, and is hopeful Embiid will have recovered from Tuesday’s meniscus surgery in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. He is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks.
“Our fingers are crossed that he’ll be healthy this summer and able to play,” Kerr said during his pregame news conference Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Center. “He’s an amazing player, and we’re really excited to have him as part of the program.”
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Embiid in October committed to play for the United States, after also considering his native Cameroon and France. He is a citizen of all three countries.
In October, Embiid said he reached his “tough” decision following discussions with USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill and representatives of the French national team. Cameroon has not yet qualified for the Summer Games. Embiid said he also takes pride in representing the country where his 3-year-old son Arthur was born.
”I love all three options with my home country, which I love a lot,” Embiid said in October. “But I really wanted to participate in the Olympics. That’s been my goal and my dream.”
Other centers in the 41-player Team USA pool released last month include Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Anthony Davis, Chet Holmgren, and Walker Kessler. But none of them has the resumé of Embiid, who prior to his injury was leading the NBA in scoring (35.3 points), while also averaging 11.3 rebounds, a career-best 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks.
Basketball is scheduled to run at the Paris Olympics from July 27 through Aug. 10.