Two years before Joel Embiid committed to Team USA, the Philadelphia 76ers center told French President Emmanuel Macron that he wanted to play for France.
RMC Sport obtained a copy of a 2021 letter Embiid sent to Macron in which he committed to suiting up for France and not entertaining any other offers.
"After discussion with the French Basketball Federation, my choice has now been made. I wish to take steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be able to be selected with the Blues. I therefore do not wish to play for any other national team," Embiid wrote in the letter.