Why Joel Embiid made a 'tough choice' to represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympics?

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has chosen to represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Embiid was born in Cameroon and holds French and American citizenship, making the decision a 'tough choice' to decide.

Despite having the choice of three nations, the reigning regular season MVP made it clear why Team USA was the team for him.

According to cnn.com, Embiid said: "I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they've been incredible since the day I came here."

"But most of all, I want to honor my son, who was born in the US. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him."

Embiid will join fellow superstars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, who have all expressed interest in forming a new USA 'super team.'

The Philadelphia 76ers big man averaged 33.1 points per game, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season.

The Sixers center will be the anchor to success if the USA is to win gold in Paris after such a poor performance from Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.

It's the second consecutive FIBA World Cup the USA has failed to reach the final of the competition, and as history has shown, the USA always forms a strong team after a tournament failure.

The 1992 'Dream Team' was anchored by David Robinson and Patrick Ewing, while the 2008 'Redeem Team' was held down by Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard.

Embiid has the chance to create history and become the next great USA big man at an Olympics, and national team director Grant Hill believes he will be an exciting addition.

According to msn.com, Hill said: "It's exciting for USA Basketball that Joel Embiid wants to represent the United States."

"Joel and I have had several conversations about his goals, and I'm looking forward to continuing that dialogue knowing that one of those goals is to represent USA Basketball next summer in Paris."

Team USA has been heavily bolstered with Embiid confirming he will play for them next year, but home team France looks significantly weaker without the reigning MVP on their roster.

Number one overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, plans on representing his country at his home Olympics, and the inclusion of Embiid would have given the USA's super team a legitimate threat to the gold medal.

Embiid still has a big season with the Sixers, trying to challenge for the NBA title, but it looks as though his eyes are set on gold for 2024.