Joel Embiid: NBA, Net Worth & Family

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Joel Embiid is a well-known Cameroonian professional basketball player who is one of the league’s most talented, resilient, optimistic, and determined stars.

Although he had his share of injuries and challenges early in his career while pursuing excellence in the NBA, he never backed out in the later difficulties.

Coming out of all the adversities, Joel Embiid is basketball’s fastest rising star and continues to shape his name in the industry.

Professional Basketball Player Joel Embiid (Source: Instagram)
Professional basketball player Joel Embiid (Source: Instagram)

He has dubbed himself “the Process” after 76ers fans urged him to “trust the process” during the Sam Hinkie era.

Despite playing only 31 games for his team in his rookie season, he was named the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

He was named to Cameroon’s preliminary team for the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket in the Republic of Congo, but he did not compete.

Let us discover more about him through the article here. 

 Quick Facts 

Full Name Joel Hans Embiid
Known as Joel Embiid
Nickname The Process
Birth Date March 16, 1994
Birth Place Yaoundé, Cameroon
Residence Not Available 
Religion Not Available 
Nationality Cameroonian 
Ethnicity Black 
Education Montverde Academy, The Rock School (Gainesville, Florida), and Kansas (2013–2014)
Zodiac Sign Pisces 
Father’s Name Thomas Embiid 
Mother’s Name Christine Embiid 
Siblings Arthur & Muriel Embiid 
Age 30 years old
Height 7 inches 
Weight 280 lb (127 kg)
Eye Color Brown
Hair Color Black
Body type Athletic
Profession Basketball Player
Marital Status Engaged 
Girlfriend Anne de Paula
Children Arthur Embiid
Active since 2014 – present
Teams Philadelphia 76ers
Achievements
  • 5× NBA All-Star (2018–2022)
  • 3× All-NBA Second Team (2018, 2019, 2021)
  • 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018, 2019, 2021)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2017)
Endorsements  Amazon, Mountain Dew, Under Armour, and Electronic Arts (EA)
Net Worth $35 million
NBA Draft Pick 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
Position Center & Power Forward 
League NBA
Merch Basketball Card
Social Media  InstagramTwitter
Last Update March 2024

Early Life

The year was 2009, and the setting was Yaoundè, Cameroon. Joel Hans Embiid, then 15, picked up a basketball for the first time, completely unaware of how far it would take him.

Embiid, a volleyball player for most of his childhood, had never considered basketball until he met Hakeem Olajuwon.

Joel decided to give basketball a try after being inspired by his grace and elegance on the court, and thus the journey began.

Even when he was in Kansas, Embiid was a raw product. This became apparent when he attended various basketball camps held in the Yaoundè area.

Joel Embiid in the frame (Source: Instagram)
Joel Embiid in the frame (Source: Instagram)

He’d often bounce the ball off his foot, trip over a screen, and allow passes to slip right through his hands because he was so new to the game.

Even without the necessary polish, Embiid was unmistakable. His uncanny footwork, outside jump shot, quickness, and shot-blocking were impressive.

Even at the tender age of 15, the Cameroonian displayed a skill set rarely seen in players his size, prompting comparisons to his idol, Mr. Olajuwon.

High School Days 

Joel Embiid’s first year at Montverde Academy was still filled with nooks and crannies from his time in Cameroon. Kevin Boyle, Embiid’s first coach, admitted that his teammates had a good laugh during his first informal practice.

When he was around his high school teammates, most of whom had been polishing their game for the better part of a decade, he was perplexed and sometimes klutzy, the play stood out.

However, Montverde would not be the place where he would make his mark, as a lack of playing time led to his decision to transfer. In retrospect, it was probably the best decision.

The only way for any player to make progress and perfect his fundamentals is through experience, which he wasn’t getting much of at Montverde.

Embiid was regarded as a five-star recruit by 2012. In the fall before his senior year of high school, he committed to Kansas, one of the nation’s recruiting powerhouses.

College Career

For one year, Embiid attended the University of Kansas. Joel was named one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year on February 13, 2014.

He appeared in 28 games in 2013–14, averaging 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game.

Joel scored at least 15 points in seven games and blocked at least five shots. He was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and second-team All-Big 12.

In March 2014, Embiid suffered a stress fracture in his back. He could not compete in the Big 12 tournament or the NCAA Tournament that year. Kansas was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in the second round (Round of 32).

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NBA Draft

Joel declared for the draft in early April 2014, and he was a lock for the top three. His back was healing on time, and after a few workouts with the Cavaliers, experts predicted that he would be selected with the first overall pick.

However, Joel had foot surgery just days before the draft to repair a navicular bone in his right foot. It was a surgery that had not been kind to big men.

Many people never fully regain their speed and agility. Embiid was now being labeled as an injury-prone big man whose inability to stay healthy would cost him a productive career, similar to Greg Oden.

The Cavs, still reeling from the Anthony Bennett debacle two years prior, were unwilling to take such a risk. They chose Andrew Wiggins, Embiid’s teammate, as the safer pick.

The Bucks had their sights set on Jabari Parker, and Joel was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Injury

Joel’s June surgery, however, refused to heal, and he was forced to miss the entire 2014-15 season. But things only got worse after Joel recovered enough to play in the NBA’s summer league for a short time.

His first surgery had complications, forcing him to have a second one. Sixers, staff, and insiders were genuinely concerned that this setback would jeopardize their careers. He could be classified alongside Greg Oden.

He eventually recovered from his setbacks, and by the time preseason rolled around, he was ready to go.

In a few brief cameos, he reminded many why they were so taken with him in the first place. His footwork, grace, rim protection, and quickness had everyone hoping he wouldn’t end up like Oden.

The strong preseason performance has raised expectations for the regular season. Despite the Sixers’ crowded frontcourt, Joel was the overwhelming favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Despite this, he continues to defy expectations.

Joel Embiid: Age, Height & Weight 

Joel was born on 16 March 1994 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Thus, the basketball player is currently 30 years old. 

Embiid is almost always robust when on the court, yet he can score from any point, shoot like a guard, and burst through contact like a bullet through butter. 

Joel stands at the gigantic height of 7 feet and weighs 280lb. 

He excels at the big things, the little things, and even the in-between things better than most. And most of all, Embiid understands how good he is and routinely dominates opposing teams and players.

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Professional Career

The Sixers’ organization decided to limit Joel Embiid’s playing time this season. And, given the circumstances, it was the best long-term decision. However, in the short term, it has done nothing to detract from his outstanding play.

He’s notched over 19 points, over seven rebounds, and nearly three rejections in only 25 minutes per night. That’s over 27 points, ten rebounds, and almost four blocks per 36.

Olajuwon averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks per 36 minutes in his rookie season.

During a 103–93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 12, Embiid recorded his fourth career triple-double with 40 points, 14 rebounds, ten assists, and three steals. 

He became the first Sixers player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968 to record a 40-point triple-double.

On February 17, Embiid had 42 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists in a 123–120 victory over the reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks.

Joel Embiid: Improvements 

Embiid, in his current form, deserves more attention than he or his back-to-the-basket teammates have previously received. His improvement spans categories and includes both the design and execution of his game.

He’s become more selective with his 3-point attempts, shooting a career-low three per game but making them at a rate (37.7 percent) that has transformed a flimsy display of versatility into a viable threat.

His mid-range shooting has also improved, rising from 41% (62nd percentile) last season to 47% (76th) in 2021.

Embiid believes that his mid-range game is what unlocks his mixed bag of tricks.

As his words suggest, Embiid has a savvy, systematic approach to basketball.

He’s learned the game at breakneck speed for someone who didn’t start playing until he was a teenager.

Joel Embiid: Parents 

Joel Embiid was born in Yaounde, Cameroon, to Cameroonian parents Thomas Embiid and Christine Embiid.

Thomas Embiid served as a military officer, specifically as a colonel in the Cameroonian army. Aside from his military service, Thomas was a professional handball player.

Christine Embiid is a Cameroonian woman who founded the Arthur Embiid Foundation and the Angels Foundation.

In addition to Joel, Thomas and Christine Embiid had two other children, Muriel and Arthur Embiid. On October 16, 2014, Arthur Embiid was killed in a car accident.

Joel Embiid's Parents in the frame (Source: Instagram)
Joel Embiid’s Parents are in the frame (Source: Instagram)

Embiid’s mother wanted him to become a doctor when he was young. But she couldn’t stop herself from sabotaging her son’s dream of becoming an NBA player. Instead, she gave him her full support in pursuing his passion.

Joel Embiid Uncles’ Biggest Support 

Didier Yanga, Embiid’s uncle, was a significant figure in his childhood. He photographed Joel playing outside his house and contacted his childhood friend Joe Touomou, the first Cameroonian to play in the NCAA.

This resulted in Embiid taking his first steps, despite his parents’ disbelief that he had a future in the game.

Prior to his breakthrough, he attended an NBA game in 2009, between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, where he fell in love with Kobe Bryant.

From then on, whenever he touched a ball at a nearby court, he tried to imitate the Lakers legend, all while his mother assumed he was in his room studying.

Close to Quitting

Embiid arrived in the United States when he was 16 years old. He didn’t have any family there and struggled with the language.

He was on the verge of quitting because he was the brunt of jokes when he couldn’t catch passes from his teammates or take easy chances.

“Now you laugh,” coach Kevin Boyle cautioned those who were joking. “However, in five years, you’ll be begging him for money because Joel is going to be wealthy.”

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Joel Embiid: Girfriend 

While Joel Embiid and Anne have been dating since 2018, they are yet to marry. Rumors of their involvement first surfaced in October 2018, shortly after Embiid appeared on the cover of GQ.

During the interview, he talked about some aspects of his love life. Following the article’s publication, the mystery girlfriend Embiid was referring to was assumed to be Anne de Paula.

The pair were also seen together in China for the NBA China Games earlier that month.

Joel Embiid along with his girlfriend (Source: Instagram)
Joel Embiid along with his girlfriend (Source: Instagram)

Anne is a Swimsuit model for Sports Illustrated. She was born in Rio de Janeiro but grew up in Miami, Florida.

She was established as a model in 2014 and is represented by the Wilhelmina modeling agency.

Embiid revealed in his GQ interview that he had run a background check on her because he didn’t want to date or marry a girl who had previously been with “someone else in the NBA.”

How Did Joel Embiid & Anne de Paula Meet?

The love story of Joel Embiid and Anne de Paula has been incredible.

A mutual friend introduced them at a New York City dinner in 2018. De Paula told the outlet that they didn’t say much to each other and that she had no idea he was a basketball player.

But, rather than the start of a relationship, she said that night marked the beginning of their “beautiful friendship.”

The model told ESPN that they connected because they had a lot in common, including a love of soccer, fluency in French, and a desire to start a family one day.

Father of a Son

Arthur Embiid, the son of Joel Embiid and Anne de Paula, was born healthy. Arthur weighed 8.8 pounds when he was born on September 17, 2020.

His weight is significantly higher than the national average for a newborn in the United States. Perhaps he was destined to be a colossus like his father.

The Cameroonian native announced the birth on both Instagram and Twitter, captioning;

“Is this the first of 11 or more? I’m trying to persuade her, but I’m not having much luck so far, “Embiid wrote, “All I want to do is build a soccer team.

He tagged Anne de Paula, saying she’s extremely strong and gave him the best gift life has to offer.

According to several reports, Arthur is named after the late brother of the NBA player.

Joel Embiid: Net Worth 

According to sites like Wealthy Gorilla, Joel Embiid’s net worth in 2022 is $35 million.

Embiid has improved his game with the 76ers, becoming a five-time NBA All-Star and signing a five-year, $147.7 million contract in 2017.

In addition, it included an additional $30 million if he is named All-NBA first-, second-, or third-team or is named MVP in 2017-18.

Embiid signed a four-year, $196 million contract extension in 2021, reaffirming himself as the 76ers’ leader and demonstrating his belief in the team’s chances of winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

He was even ranked 48th on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2019, and in the 2021-22 NBA season, he is a clear candidate to win the MVP Award, leading Philadelphia to a potential NBA Finals appearance.

Embiid’s endorsement earnings are estimated to be around $6 million.

In 2018, he signed a contract with Under Armour. Major corporations such as Amazon, Mountain Dew, and Electronic Arts (EA) are among his other clients.

Social Media Presence 

Since being drafted by the Sixers in 2014, Embiid has grown his social media following as he has embraced the attention.

Embiid had the personality of an online troll back then. He recently grew out of it. However, just because he doesn’t troll as frequently as he used to doesn’t mean he’s finished trolling on social media for good.

You can follow him on his social media platforms as he knows how to keep his fans entertained via it. Below is the link to his social media accounts; 

Instagram– 5.5M followers 

Twitter– 2M followers 

FAQs

Why is Joel Embiid out?

Joel Embiid has been ruled out of the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Miami Heat on March 28.

Embiid will miss the game due to back soreness, while Harden will miss the game as he recovers from a left hamstring injury.

Does Joel Embiid dunk?

In a match against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid delivered one of the best dunks of the NBA season.

Joel was already at the free-throw line after being fouled by Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen.

Will Embiid win MVP?

Following the All-Star break, Embiid is the +145 favorite to win this year’s MVP award, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

Prajita Karki
Prajita Karkihttps://playersbio.com/
Hi, I'm Prajita Karki. I currently write articles related to players for Hansikar Technologies. Writing has always been like therapy to me. I'm still in the early stages of my writing career, but it's been a fun ride so far! Do check my articles through Players Bio.

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