Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid added another award to his collection, the Order of Valor award from his home country of Cameroon. This achievement comes just days after the seven-time NBA All-Star won gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid received the Commander of the Order of Valor award from Cameroonian President Paul Biya
Ahead of Cameroon's 52nd National Unity Day, the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education issued an official statement:
“The Minister of Sports and Physical Education has the right to inform the public that he will oversee the award ceremony of the Commander of the Order of Valor, specially awarded by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Biya, as part of the 52nd National Unity Day, to Mr. Joel Hans Embiid, NBA Basketball player and gold medalist at the recent 2024 Paris Olympic Games with the American basketball team. This event, which starts at 4 pm, will be held in the conference room of the Department of Sports and Physical Education.”
Joel Embiid received his Order of Valor from the president of Cameroon 🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/Z3xOz0pHIB
– MVBIID (@EmbiidsEra) August 14, 2024
Per TMZ Sports, a special moment happened on Wednesday in the central African country. The Sixers center was surrounded by fans when he went to meet Cameroonian President Paul Biya. In fact, no boos were reported to be heard, unlike the Paris Olympics.
When Joel Embiid entered the building, he was approached by President Biya, who greeted him with the Medal of the Commander of the Order of Valor. The award is given to Cameroonians “who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of arts, science, agriculture, commerce, or industry.”
Besides representing America, Embiid had the desire to play for Cameroon before the Paris Olympics. Still, he wanted to “honor his son,” who was born in the U.S. “I want my boy to know that I played for him in my first Olympics,” he said.
The Order of Valor medal is awarded to natives for outstanding service to the nation of Cameroon
Furthermore, the Order was founded in 1957. It is awarded for outstanding work in the State of Cameroon. The Order is awarded in seven classes: Collar, Grand Cordon, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.
Joel Embiid, 30, thanked President Biya and everyone involved with the award. On Saturday, Embiid and Team USA defeated France in the final round of men's basketball at the Paris Olympics, earning him his first Olympic gold medal.
In addition, Embiid officially became an American citizen in September 2022. He told the Associated Press at the time that his wife, Sports Illustrated model Anne De Paula, and their young son contributed to his decision to continue the process.
“I've been here a long time,” Embiid told the outlet. “My son is American. I felt like I lived here, and it's a blessing to be an American.”
In addition, Embiid is the third athlete born in Cameroon to play in the NBA. The 7-footer is the highest to be drafted as the No. 3 pick in 2014.
However, he may not be playing for Team USA in the future.
In a recent interview with Bleacher Report, Embiid revealed that he may represent Cameroon at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “It was bittersweet, being away from home and family for a few weeks,” he said.
“But we made it easy for the boys' team. Paris is the biggest city, and next is LA There may not be Team USA; there may be Cameroon. “
Although the 2028 Olympics are far away, he still needs approval from FIBA and Team USA to play for Cameroon.
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