Photo credit: All-Pro Reels
Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Joel Embiid played volleyball and soccer before former
NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute spotted him at a 2011 camp and encouraged him to try basketball. He moved to the U.S. at 16, starred at the University of Kansas, and was drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014. A seven‑time NBA All‑Star and
the 2023 NBA MVP, Embiid is also a two‑time scoring champion, having led the league in 2021‑22 (30.6 p.p.g.) and 2022‑23 (33.1 p.p.g.).
Off the court, Embiid honors his late brother through the “In Memory of Arthur” (IMOA) initiative. The platform pledges $1 million to overlooked Philadelphia non‑profits such as Philadelphia Youth Basketball, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, NOMO Foundation and Rhymes with Reason. IMOA funds the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center for Philadelphia Youth Basketball and supports efforts that provide meals, clothing and other essentials to those in need. Embiid’s philanthropy extends to his home country of Cameroon, where he supports youth programs and infrastructure. In July 2025 he used his offseason to visit NOMO Foundation, Rhymes with Reason and the Philly Goat Project, surprising youth at a community barbecue and spotlighting IMOA’s ongoing work.
