THE RISE OF “THE PROCESS”
It is certainly true that Fate has its own course and what may come to whom is
something nobody knows. The Rise of “The Process” is about a Cameroonian
who sailed through and reached the “NBA”, Even he did not know that he
would be at a stage where the world would recognize him.
Joel Embiid or “the process” was born on March 16, 1994, in Yaoundé which is
the capital of Cameroon. Joel Embiid was raised in a middle–class family.
Embiid’s very early years were filled with aspirations of becoming a
professional volleyball player, like his father, Thomas Embiid, who then was a
competitive handball player. Volleyball to him, seemed naturally fit as he was
blessed with a towering height and the build of an athlete. But as I stated, fate
had its own plans for Joel.
In 2011, when Joel was of the age of 16, he was discovered by Luc Mbah a
Moute who was a fellow Cameroonian and NBA player. Since then, Joel
Embiid’s life took a significant turn. Mbah a Moute acknowledged and
recognized the raw talent of Joel and his very potential on the basketball court.
Mbah a Moute persuaded Joel to pursue a career in basketball and from then on
nothing was same for Joel anymore.
With the guidance, support and mentorship of Mbah a Mourt, Joel shifted to
United States to advance his education and further his basketball career. He
enrolled himself at Montverde Academy situated in Florida which is a
prestigious high school known for its strong and skilled basketball program.
However, at Montverde, Joel had a short-lived time as he was transferred to The
Rock School, another well – regarded basketball program, where he could get
more playing time and develop his skills.
Journey towards NBA
The transition to an American High School basketball was difficult as well as
challenging for Joel Embiid, but he quickly adapted to the fast-paced,
competitive environment. The natural athleticism in him along with his
dedication towards his work ethics, allowed him to stand out among his peers.
He devoted his time in honing his skills and gaining more knowledge and that
made Embiid understand that he had the potential in him to become a dominant
force in the sport.
In 2013, Embiid committed himself to playing college basketball for the
University of Kansas, a decision that would further actuate his career. Embiid’s
game began flourishing under the tutelage of head coach Bill Self. He played
for the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2013-2014 season, where he displayed his
exquisite abilities on both the ends of the court. Despite the battling injuries that
limited his playing time, Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6
blocks per game. This remarkable and impressive performance of his caught the
attention of the scouts and analysts of NBA, which further solidified his stature
as a top prospect for the NBA draft.
Finally in June 2014, Joel Embiid was selected third overall by the Philadelphia
76ers in the NBA draft. The 76ers saw immense potential in Embiid and
displayed the confidence that he could become the cornerstone of their
rebuilding efforts. However, his journey to the stardom of NBA was not at all
smooth.
Side kicking Early Adversities
Joel Embiid’s professional career in the early stages was plagued with injuries.
Shortly after being drafted into the NBA, he had to undergo a surgery to repair a
stress fracture in his right foot which caused him to miss the entire 2014-2015
NBA season. The following year, he suffered from a setback in his recovery
which required a second surgery that kept him aloof for the 2015-2016 season
as well. These setbacks were thwarting for him as he was eager to prove himself
and the 76ers on the court.
Yet, Embiid remained focused and determined on his rehabilitation and
recovery. He used his time off the court to study the game, watching hours of
movies and working tirelessly to improve his skills. His dedication, hard work,
consistency and perseverance at the end paid off which finally allowed him to
make his NBA Debut in 2016-2017 season.
Dominance in the NBA
Joel Embiid had an instantaneous and significant impact on the NBA. A knee
ailment limited his playing time to just 31 games, but he still averaged 20.2
points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in his rookie campaign. His
ability to score from anywhere on the court and his dominant presence in the
paint made him one of the league's most promising young players very fast.
Over the following seasons, Embiid continued to develop and refine his game.
Standing at 7 feet tall and weighing 280 pounds, he possessed a rare
combination of size, strength and agility. He honed the art of footwork through
years of practice and study which even allowed him to maneuver past defenders
with ease. Furthermore, his shooting touch, both from the mid-range and
beyond the arc, made him a multifaceted offensive threat. On the side of
defense, his shot blocking ability and defensive instincts made him an
intimidating rim protector. This earned him multiple All-Star selections and
accolades, including All- NBA and All – defensive Team honors. His presence
on the court transformed the Philadelphia 76ers into a playoff contender.
Personal Life
Off the court, Joel Embiid is known for his charismatic personality, sense of
humor and his philanthropy. Embiid has a strong social media presence which
involves often engaging with fans and sharing glimpses of his life outside of
basketball. Regardless of his fame and success, Embiid is a grounded man who
is committed to give back to his community.
To begin with, Embiid in 2018 launched the Joel Embiid Foundation, a
charitable organization focused on improving the lives of underprivileged
children in Cameroon and the United States. This foundation supports various
initiatives, including education, healthcare and sports programs. Embiid’s
philanthropic efforts reflects his deep gratitude for the opportunities and
chances he had received and his deep-rooted wish to make an affirmative
impact on the lives of the others. This very journey of Joel Embiid from
Cameroon to the NBA is a beacon of hope for aspiring and enthusiastic athletes
worldwide. His journey is an illustration of belief, determination, hard work,
resilience in overcoming adversity and achieving worldwide greatness.
The Road Ahead
Joel Embiid’s goals are to keep winning an NBA championship and continue to
hone his skills and improve his game. He is devoted to a healthy lifestyle and
maintaining his peak physical condition, with the constant thought about the
fact that his presence on the court is crucial to 76ers’ success. With his unique
mixture of talents, determination and charisma, there is hardly any doubt that
Embiid would not continue to leave an indelible mark on the NBA and the
world of sports.
In Conclusion, I would like to remark that Joel Embiid’s Journey from
Cameroon to the NBA is an exemplification of the power of perseverance and
the impact of a good mentorship. The nickname “The Process” which he gave to
himself is totally suited to him and is a testament of hard work, dedication,
determination and a strong will to win. Joel Embiid continues to inspire a great
number of athletes worldwide.
Tags
1. #Joel Embiid
2. #NBA
3. #Philadelphia 76ers
4. #Basketball
5. #Cameroonian Athletes
References
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Embiid.
2. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01.html.
3. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059318/joel-embiid.