Embiid, a standout for the 76ers and a citizen today, is ecstatic to be American.
Embiid, a native of Cameroon, said that two weeks ago in Philadelphia, he was sworn in as a citizen.
The fact that Embiid and his Brazilian girlfriend Anne de Paula had a small son was crucial to his choice.
At training camp at The Citadel on Thursday, Embiid told The Associated Press, "I've been here for a long time.
"My son is from the USA. I had the impression that being here and being an American was a blessing. I said, "Why not?" ”
Embiid, who spent one season playing collegiate basketball at Kansas, is also a French citizen.
The 7-footer helped Philadelphia go to the Eastern Conference playoffs for a second consecutive season by averaging 11.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists.