From Cameroon to NBA: Joel Embiid's Journey

When Joel Embiid walks into a room, he is on metal crutches. His crutches are taller than I am, and I stand 5-foot-3.

Embiid is not supposed to put any weight on his right foot for six weeks following his stress fracture surgery June 20.

His foot is in a cast that resembles Cameroon's flag, his native country -- it's painted green, red and yellow from top to bottom.

The 7-footer has an engaging personality and charismatic smile, and the story of how he arrived with the Sixers as the No. 3 overall pick last month is intriguing.

Football came first

Growing up in Cameroon, Embiid played soccer. He later took to volleyball and was set to play professionally in France in 2011.

Embiid's uncle thought basketball would be a better fit for his nephew, but he had to convince Embiid's father to let his son give the sport a try. It was not an easy sell.

"Eventually [my dad] let me try," Embiid explained. "I started playing in February 2011. That was during the school year, and once I started playing basketball my grades went down. Dad said I had to stop. So I played basketball from February to the end of March.

"After that, there was another exam for chemistry and I passed that, so I started back playing basketball the end of June 2011."

That summer Embiid was invited to participate at a camp in Cameroon held by Luc Mbah a Moute, currently of the Minnesota Timberwolves and a fellow Cameroonian.

"He selected 50 players to come to his camp, and I wasn't good enough and I didn't play well, but he still picked me, " Embiid said.

"From Mbah a Moute's camp, I was one of the five players to go to South Africa for the NBA camp, Basketball Without Borders. I came back to Cameroon for about two weeks. Then I came to the States and went to Montverde Academy in Orlando."

His senior year, Embiid transferred from Montverde to The Rock, a high school in Gainesville, Florida, to get more playing time.

"When I got to the States, I couldn't catch the ball," Embiid said. "I was getting pushed around, so it was hard in the beginning, and my teammates were making fun of me. I didn't know the language. It was hard, but I got through that."

Embiid's play at The Rock earned him a scholarship to Kansas, and his play at Kansas led him to the Sixers.

In three years, Embiid went from a novice to the third overall pick.

Winning is the attraction

Embiid's participation in basketball started in 2011, but it was the year before when he found an NBA hero.

"One of the reasons I chose to play basketball, the first time I watched basketball was when Kobe [Bryant] won against Boston in the championship," Embiid said, referring to the 2010 Finals. "That's how he became my favorite player.

"My main goal is to win championships. That's why I chose to play, and I'm just going to do everything to accomplish that and be one of the greatest."

A personality blossomed

Coming to the United States allowed Embiid to not only develop as a basketball player but also as a young man. He found college life to be the best experience and enjoyed every minute.

"One person asked me how I was going to get remembered at Kansas, and I said I don't know what to say besides somebody who gave everything," Embiid said. "And then Coach (Bill) Self said he thinks they're going to remember me as a fun kid, goofy, someone who likes to be around people and make jokes.

"I didn't know people saw that, so it's pretty good. But once I'm on the court, I'm another man. I focus on the game. I never laugh unless I make a good play, or one of my teammates makes a good play."

Social media: An enjoyed madness

As Embiid became more and more comfortable in his new environment, he adapted to the American culture and grew to love social media.

His Twitter account has over 106,000 followers. Tweeting enables Embiid to have fun with his friends, family and fans.

"That's why social media is there," Embiid said. "I love communicating with fans. Sometimes they give good ideas and sometimes they're also bad, but I like communicating with fans.

"I just want them to follow my journey and know what I'm doing. I want them to know what I like to do and what I don't like to do."

The 20-year-old shared photos on Twitter when he was prepping for his recent foot surgery. Last week, he attempted to recruit LeBron James to Philadelphia on Twitter. The rookie is not afraid to be bold.

An athletic background

Embiid's rise to basketball stardom does not come as a surprise to his family. He says all his male relatives on both parents' side played sports.

"My dad was a great handball player. He was one of the best back home," Embiid said. "He played handball, basketball, soccer and volleyball. He played everything. Maybe it explains why it was a little bit easier for me to adjust to basketball and make the transition."