Grant Hill ‘Really Excited’ About Joel Embiid’s Play for Team USA at Paris 2024 Olympics | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

Star player Joel Embiid was heavily criticized by fans when he chose to play for Team USA instead of France at the Paris Olympics, but he took it all with a grain of salt.

Embiid, born in Cameroon, holds dual American and French citizenship but has only lived in the U.S. since he was a teenager. Still, that hasn’t stopped fans in Paris from expressing their feelings every time he steps onto the court with Team USA.

Grant Hill, who put together the Team USA roster, told Joe Vardon of The Athletic that he’s been impressed with the way Embiid has handled things so far.

“There was just a lot of noise around him, with his situation,” Hill said. “We knew he was going to have a big moment soon. … We’re really excited about where he’s at, and I expect him to play well the next two games.”

Embiid put in his best performance of the Olympics on Tuesday in the 122-87 win over Brazil, scoring 14 points on 5 of 6 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds, all in the first half.