Olympics naturalization rules, explained: Why Joel Embiid, Carlik Jones can play for countries they're not from

Among the many storylines at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Joel Embiid's decision to play for the United States men's basketball team is one of the biggest.

Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, moved to the United States at 16 and obtained U.S. citizenship in 2022. He chose to play for Team USA instead of his native Cameroon and host country France, a decision that was aided by FIBA rules on naturalized players.

Here is more on FIBA's rules for naturalized players who suit up for countries where they have gained citizenship.

MORE: Full rosters for all 12 men's teams competing at the Paris Olympic

Olympics naturalization rules, explained

FIBA rules state that basketball teams are permitted one naturalized player on the national team roster, which consists of 12 players.

A naturalized player is a foreign-born player who obtains a passport for a country after turning 16. If that player cannot prove "close links" to the country, they are considered a naturalized player, per FIBA.

Embiid qualifies as a naturalized player because he obtained U.S. citizenship at 28 and has no close familial links to the country. In contrast, Nick Calathes was born and raised in Florida but due to close links to Greece is not considered a naturalized player on their national team.

Similarly, Jose Alvarado represents Puerto Rico. He was born and raised in the United States but is not the team's naturalized player. In Alvarado's case, he is not a naturalized player because Puerto Rico is a sovereign state of the U.S. and he is a direct descendant of Puerto Rican citizens.

Here is more on the rules from FIBA:

Foreign-born players with a bloodline connection with the country they want to represent must prove their legal nationality through a passport obtained before turning age 16, regardless of any local laws that deem that nationality as having existed before that time.

Players who obtain their passports after turning 16 can still play but need to prove their close links with the country. Otherwise, they will be categorized as "naturalized" players by FIBA rather than as locals.

FIBA permits one naturalized player on the national team roster per game.

MORE: Why Joel Embiid decided to play for Team USA at 2024 Olympics

Naturalized basketball players at 2024 Paris Olympics

Embiid is one of 13 naturalized basketball players at the 2024 Paris Olympics. There are seven naturalized players in the men's tournament and six naturalized players in the women's tournament.

Naturalized men's basketball players

Naturalized women's basketball players