9781422271544

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Devin Booker Jayson Tatum Joel Embiid Luka Dončić Anthony Davis James Harden Kawhi Leonard

LeBron James Stephen Curry Chris Paul Giannis Antetokounmpo Kevin Durant Paul George Russell Westbrook

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Greg Bach

MASON CREST MIAMI

Mason Crest PO Box 221876 Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2024 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4663-4

ISBN (series) 978-1-4222-4843-0 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7154-4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Bach, Greg, author. Title: Joel Embiid / Greg Bach. Description: Miami, FL : Mason Crest, [2024] | Series: Hardwood greats : Pro basketball’s best players | Includes QR codes and links to third-party content. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2023018466 | ISBN 9781422246634 (hardback) | ISBN 9781422248430 (series) | ISBN 9781422271544 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Embiid, Joel, 1994---Juvenile literature. | Centers (Basketball)--Cameroon--Biography--Juvenile literature. | Basketball players--Cameroon--Biography--Juvenile literature. | Philadelphia 76ers (Basketball team)--History--Juvenile literature. | National Basketball Association--History--Juvenile literature. | Basketball--United States--History--Juvenile literature. Classification: LCC GV884.E52 B33 2024 | DDC 796.323092 [B]--dc23/eng/20230627

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023018466 Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Editor: Andrew Luke Production: Crafted Content, LLC (www.craftedcontentllc.com)

QR CODES AND LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY CONTENT You may gain access to certain third-party content (“Third-Party Sites”) by scanning and using the QR Codes that appear in this publication (the “QR Codes”). We do not operate or control in any respect any information, products, or services on such Third-Party Sites linked to by us via the QR Codes included in this publication, and we assume no responsibility for any materials you may access using the QR Codes. Your use of the QR Codes may be subject to terms, limitations, or restrictions set forth in the applicable terms of use or otherwise established by the owners of the Third-Party Sites. Our linking to such Third-Party Sites via the QR Codes does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of such Third-Party Sites or the information, products, or services offered on or through the Third-Party Sites, nor does it imply an endorsement or sponsorship of this publication by the owners of such Third-Party Sites.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Greatest Moments . . . . 7 Chapter 2: The Road to the Top . 23 Chapter 3: On the Court . . . . . . . 37 Chapter 4: Words Count . . . . . . . 51 Chapter 5: Off the Court . . . . . . . 63

Series Glossary of Key Terms . . 74 Further Reading & Internet Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Author Biography & Credits . . . 80

KEY ICONS TO LOOK FOR:

Words to understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more! Text-dependent questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Series glossary of key terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

Herculean: requiring great strength or effort marquee: having or being associated with the recognition and attraction of one whose name appears on a marquee; big name; star maestro: a great or distinguished figure preeminent: surpassing all others; distinguished; outstanding

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Chapter 1

Greatest Moments Coming To America Joel Embiid arrived in Philadelphia amid a barrage of hype and expectations, and the Cameroon native quickly established himself as a game wrecking force, evolving into one of the NBA’s most feared and dominant performers. In an era of flashy three-point shooting, he’s a maestro in the middle, operating in the paint with an array of awesome, artistic moves at his disposal. Using his big frame—he’s seven feet tall and 280 pounds—Embiid routinely backs defenders down in the post, fends off the deluge of double- and triple-teams he unfailingly attracts, and attacks the rim with unstoppable power. He also possesses a terrific touch, capable of floating beyond the three point arc and knocking down impossible-to-defend long-range shots. After spending just a season at the University of Kansas, where he was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Embiid was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. A troublesome stress fracture in his right foot delayed his 7

At seven feet tall, Embiid has a distinct physical advantage over most players.

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debut in a Sixers uniform for two long years, which was frustrating for both him and Philadelphia fans, who craved to see him in action. Once he finally got on the court, it didn’t take long for the depth of his talent to be on full display, and for the Sixers to return to the postseason thanks to his powerful play. Scoring Spree His point production has been prolific from the start: Embiid has averaged more than 20 points a game in every season he has played. During the 2021–2022 season, he caused even greater distress to opposing defenses by averaging a whopping 30.6 points a game, claiming the NBA’s scoring title. He’s the first international player to get his hands on the award, and the third Sixers player to do so, joining Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson. He was also the first center to lead the league since Shaquille O’Neal, who did so playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999–2000. He repeated as scoring champion in 2022-23, bumping his career season high to 33.1 points a game. Along the way, Embiid has rewritten the Philadelphia record books, joining some all-time greats of the game. In 2023, he became the fastest player in Sixers’ history to reach 10,000 career points. His 58 double-doubles (double figures in points and rebounds) during the 2018–2019 season were the most a player had amassed in a season since Charles Barkley reached 61 in 1988–1989. As the six-time All-Star enters his prime years—he signed a four-year, $196 million supermax contract extension in 2021—there’s little doubt that the do-it all center will keep adding to this long list of eye-catching feats in the years to come as one of the preeminent players in the game today.

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Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

Embiid’s Greatest Career Moments

Here’s a look at eight big moments in a career filling up with them

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11

Chapter 1: Greatest Moments

1

Dynamic Debut After missing the first two seasons of his NBA career due to injuries, Embiid made a grand debut in the 2016 season opener at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. Sixers’ fans, who had been starving to see their No. 3 overall pick from the 2014 Draft in action, were dazzled and delighted by his play all game long. Embiid scored the first points of his NBA career on a 16-foot jump shot at the 8:17 mark of the first quarter on his way to a team-high 20 points. He gave fans a glimpse of his all-around skills by also knocking down a three-point shot (he was 1-of-3 beyond the arc), blocking a couple of shots, pulling down seven rebounds, and being near perfect from the free-throw line (7-of-8). While Sixers’ fans headed to the parking lot disappointed in the outcome—Oklahoma City won 103–97—Embiid’s performance gave them plenty of reasons to smile and look forward to the years ahead.

After missing two seasons because of injuries, Embiid made his NBA debut in 2016, scoring 20 points in a loss to Oklahoma City.

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2

Pile of Points Ever since he arrived in Philadelphia, Embiid has been writing his name in the franchise’s record books, nudging some beloved Sixers with glorious basketball resumes out of their top perches in assorted categories. In 2023, he became the fastest Philadelphia player to reach 10,000 career points, a fantastic feat that took him only 373 games to achieve. In doing so, he bypassed Sixers Hall of Famers Allen Iverson (378 games), Julius Erving (425), Charles Barkley (445), and Billy Cunningham (477). The history-changing points were delivered in typical Embiid fashion: displaying his lethal ball-handling skills, he took a pass from James Harden beyond the three-point arc, drove to the basket with his left hand while fending off contact from Cleveland’s Evan Mobley to score the bucket while getting fouled, and secured a piece of Philadelphia history. The historic evening featured a team-high 29 points and 14 rebounds from Embiid, as the Sixers claimed a 118–112 win for their fourth victory in a row.

Embiid became the fastest Sixers player to reach 10,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in 373 games.

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3

Awesome in Africa The NBA is all in on growing the game globally, leaning on its marquee players to help make it happen. In 2018, Embiid was a beloved figure—as well as the star performer—at the third edition of the NBA Africa Game at Sun Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. The game featured Team Africa (players born in Africa or with direct family connections to the continent, including Luol Deng, Serge Ibaka, and Pascal Siakam) against Team World (a diverse cast of NBA players including Khris Middleton, Rudy Gay, and Harrison Barnes). Embiid put on a show, scoring a game-high 24 points while snagging eight rebounds and distributing four assists, but it wasn’t enough to produce a victory, and Team World prevailed 96–92. Despite the loss, it was a memorable trip for Embiid, who savored the opportunity to interact with fans, inspire young players, and reflect on his journey that began with being discovered at a basketball camp in Africa.

Embiid scored a game-high 24 points during the NBA Africa game in 2018.

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4

Thrilling Three Embiid has made a bundle of big-time shots throughout his career, but the best of the bunch was delivered during the first round of the 2022 playoffs against Toronto. At the noisy Scotiabank Arena, home of the Raptors and site of a painful Game Seven Sixers loss three years earlier, Embiid made some happy memories for his team and Philadelphia’s fans. Taking an inbound pass from Danny Green, he quickly turned and elevated his seven-foot frame, hoisting a three-point shot that dropped in with less than a second remaining to swipe a 104–101 overtime win, pushing the Sixers ahead of the Raptors 3–0 in their series. The game-clinching heroics put an exclamation point on a powerful Embiid performance that featured 33 points and 13 rebounds. Toronto somehow recovered from the shocking shot to win the next two games, but Embiid rescued the Sixers with a game-high 33 points in Game Six to secure the series.

Embiid sank a thrilling three-pointer with less than a second remaining, leading the Sixers past Toronto in Game Three of their 2022 opening-round playoff series.

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5

Fabulous 59 Embiid went on an epic 24-hour scoring spree early in the 2022 season, reminding us that he is one of the game’s most gifted performers—and why teams dread facing him. After outdueling Trae Young and Atlanta by dropping 42 points in a Saturday night win against the visiting Hawks, he returned to the Wells Fargo Center the following night to score a career-high 59 points in a super Sunday 105–98 win against Utah. His 13-point first quarter hinted at the brilliance to come. Later, in a fabulous fourth quarter of pure excellence, he took over the game by scoring 26 of his team’s 27 points. During that stunning stretch, he converted seven of eight shots from the floor and 12 of 15 free throw attempts. He was also terrific defensively, blocking five shots in that quarter alone. For the eventful evening, he also kept the statisticians busy by collecting 11 rebounds and eight assists while swatting away seven shots.

Embiid scored a career-best 59 points in a win against Utah during the 2022 season.

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