Sixers’ first-rounder Joel Embiid made his maiden voyage to Philadelphia a few weekends ago. Credit: Getty Images
The Sixers No. 3 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Joel Embiid, made his way down to PPL Park on Sunday to serve as the Union’s honorary captain against the San Jose Earthquakes. The center from Cameroon, who’s been making waves on Twitter in the past two months, was handed his own personalized jersey and scarf by the team.
Embiid was seen with a boot on his right foot, the same one which required surgery on June 20 to repair a fractured navicular bone. Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie expects the big man to be out at least another 3-6 months in recovery from the injury, but that didn’t stop the man from dribbling a soccer ball on the sideline, which Embiid says was his first love.
“I played soccer my whole life,” said Embiid. “I only started playing basketball about 3 or 4 years ago, but I played soccer my whole life and I’d say I was one of the best.”
Hinkie has stated that there’s no rush to get Embiid back to the court and many think he’ll sit out for the entire 2014-15 season, much like Nerlens Noel did last season.
