Gregg Popovich Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Gregg Popovich comments on Joel Embiid playing for Team USA

By Chase Risman | Last updated 10/5/23

While San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is hard at work prepping Victor Wembanyama for his rookie season, he took note of another NBA big man making headlines.

ESPN reported Thursday morning that Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid will play for Team USA in the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Popovich, who coached Team USA to a gold medal in the 2020 Olympics (played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), said this to San Antonio Express News Sports Reporter Tom Orsborn about the reigning MVP's decision.

Pop on ESPN report that Embiid has reportedly committed to play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics:

"The stronger the team, the better. International competition is tough…That’s great for us."
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) October 5, 2023

The United States will have its hands full with competition in its attempt to win another gold medal.

The defending silver medalist French national team has NBA stars in Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum, while the Slovenian team is led by Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.

Embiid, who has both French and American citizenship, said he wanted to play for the United States after the Americans failed to secure a medal in the 2022 World Cup, the first time that happened in 52 years.

Regardless of how Team USA performs, Popovich won't be there to see it in-person. He has been succeeded as head coach of Team USA by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

Embiid will join other NBA stars such as Stephen Curry and Lebron James on Team USA when the games begin in the French capital next summer.

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