Joel Embiid faced intense boos from the crowd during the US men’s basketball team’s decisive victory over Serbia on Sunday.
The Philadelphia 76ers player opted to represent the US instead of the host nation last October, which has sparked discontent in France.
Spectators at the Olympic opener voiced their displeasure towards Embiid, who hails from Cameroon, as he was booed whenever he touched the ball, came off the bench, or during pregame announcements.
This hostility likely stems from his choice to bypass playing for France, which granted him citizenship in 2022 despite his lack of residency there.
Joel Embiid was booed during the US men’s basketball team’s victory over Serbia in Paris
The 76ers star opted to play for the US instead of the host country
French fans had hoped to see him join fellow NBA players Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert to represent the host nation in the Paris Olympics.
He could have played for Cameroon, but they were eliminated early in the qualification rounds, leaving only the option to play for the US, which he received citizenship for in 2022.
Embiid previously expressed a desire to represent Team USA due to his son being born there, but he hasn’t publicly explained why he favored the US over France.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant led the US team to a near-flawless performance in the opening of the Paris Games, aiming for a fifth consecutive gold medal.
Durant hit his first eight shots, finishing with 23 points, while James contributed 21 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, leading the US to a 110-84 win over Serbia.
‘That’s the best game we’ve played so far,’ James remarked after the Americans secured a 6-0 record this summer and 1-0 in the crucial tournament.
Together, James and Durant shot a remarkable 18 of 22 from the floor—Durant going eight of nine and James nine of 13—showing no signs of struggle against the reigning World Cup silver medalists from the Philippines last summer.
Jrue Holiday added 15 points, Devin Booker scored 12, and both Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry chipped in with 11 points each for the US.
