The MVP war - will Cameroonian Embiid play for USA or France?

He was born in Yaoundé, lived there until his 16th birthday, but will he play for – USA or France? The World Cup, which will be played in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines this year will give us the answer. No one knows yet which jersey Joel Embiid will wear.

The center of the Philadelphia 76ers and the current NBA MVP received a French passport in July 2022 as a "foreigner...whose naturalization is of exceptional importance". And all this even though he never lived in France. However, in September of the same year, he also received American citizenship.

Now the basketball associations of the two countries are 'fighting' for Embiid's signature. No one even mentions Cameroon as a possibility.

"I've known Joel for many years, he's a very smart person and incredibly talented. Joel has multiple offers on the table. Of course we would be happy if he plays for us, but let's give him time and see what happens", said Grant Hill, manager of the American Basketball Federation, for the Italian Gazzetta dello Sport.

In France, however, they want to pair Embiid with the experienced Rudy Gobert and perhaps more importantly - the young Victor Wembanyama, whom they consider a generational talent.

"I don't believe he will end up playing for the USA. We are waiting for him in France with open arms," New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier answered last month when asked by the Catalan Mundo Deportivo.

It is for Embiid to choose. Although the most logical thing would be for him to choose Cameroon - that doesn't seem to be an option.