France is clearly still harboring some resentment about Joel Embiid's decision to represent USA basketball on the international stage.
France believed it had locked up a commitment from Embiid when it made him a French citizen in 2022. The 76ers star had never lived in the country, but he was fluent in French, and many believed he would choose to play for Les Bleus at the 2024 Olympics.
Instead, Embiid chose to play for the USA. That has led fans to direct anger at Embiid, who they view as a villain.
Embiid has been heckled at times during the Olympics. Notably, a fan yelled at him while boarding the team bus in Paris.
"Give back your passport," the fan said, per the New York Post. "You should have played for France. You’re not American."
Here's what to know about Embiid's USA vs. France decision and why it has resulted in him getting booed on the Olympic stage.
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Why is Joel Embiid getting booed at the Olympics?
Embiid is getting booed at the Olympics because he chose to play for the USA over France. The 76ers big man received his French passport in 2022, so many believed he would suit up for France or his native Cameroon at the 2024 Olympics.
Instead, he chose to represent the United States, where he became a citizen in 2022.
Embiid acknowledged "it was not easy" to choose whom to play in a post to X (Formerly Twitter) in October 2023. He also said that he was "really proud" to represent the United States in honor of his son.
"I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home," Embiid wrote. "After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve been incredible since the day I came here. But most of all, I want to honor my son who was born in the US. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him."
French fans don't feel much empathy for Embiid, and with the 2024 Olympics being held in Paris, they have booed him throughout the tournament.
Embiid didn't seem too worried about how the crowd would treat him.
"I don't think it should be anything, but if it's more than that, I embrace it," Embiid said before the Olympics. "I don't think you can get worse than playing in New York in the playoffs."
He echoed his sentiments when asked about his reaction to being booed during the early stages of the Olympics.
"Nothing," he told The Athletic. "Like I said I’m an American, I play for Team USA."
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Where is Joel Embiid from?
Embiid was born and raised in Cameroon but came to the United States at age 16 to pursue a professional basketball career. He lived in the country for 12 years before becoming a U.S. citizen in 2022.
Embiid was also granted French citizenship in 2022. He had never lived in the country, but he and his son were granted citizenship through a clause that stipulates "nationality may be granted to 'a foreigner [...] whose naturalization is of exceptional interest,'" per NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The "exceptional interest," in this case, would be having Embiid suit up for France at the Olympics. The country was denied its goal when Embiid chose the USA over France.
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What is Joel Embiid's nationality?
Embiid is Cameroonian, French and American, as he is a citizen of all three countries.
