Joel Embiid is finally healthy and the oft-injured big man looked impressive in the Philadelphia 76ers' pre-season opener.
Since signing a rookie deal with the 76ers in August 2014, the third overall pick in the NBA Draft that year hasn't logged a single minute of playing time.
After missing both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons with various foot injuries, the 215cm Cameroonian, saw his first taste of live action as a professional Tuesday night. The Kansas product didn't waste any time making his impact felt. Named a starter for Philadelphia's preseason opener against the Celtics, he came through with a big block of a dunk attempt by rookie forward Jaylen Brown.
MORE: Embiid finally suits up for the Sixers | Simmons has successful foot surgery | WATCH: Delly makes strong debut for Bucks |
That's the anticipation and agility that made Embiid the 2014 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year during his lone season in Lawrence. He averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 28 games for the Jayhawks.
The Sixers' 2016-17 roster boasts a bevy of talented young big men, including second-year pro Jahlil Okafor (17.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.2 bpg), third-year man Nerlens Noel (11.1 rpg, 1.5 bpg) and 6-10 newcomer Dario Saric, to help them improve upon their league-worst 10-72 record from a season ago.
Now, only if Ben Simmons weren't injured . . .