The Surprising Story of Joel Embiid's Draft Day
From Undrafted to the Top Pick
In the 2014 NBA Draft, Joel Embiid was one of the most highly touted prospects. Coming out of Kansas, he was projected to be a top-five pick. However, on draft day, he surprisingly fell to the Philadelphia 76ers with the third overall pick.
A Draft Day Surprise
There were a number of reasons why Embiid fell in the draft. First, he had a history of injuries. He had missed the entire 2013-14 season with a foot injury. Second, there were concerns about his conditioning. He was considered to be overweight and out of shape.
Despite these concerns, the 76ers were willing to take a chance on Embiid. They believed that he had the potential to be a star. And they were right.
A Rising Star
In his first season with the 76ers, Embiid averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. In the 2017-18 season, he made his first All-Star team. And in the 2018-19 season, he led the 76ers to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Embiid is now one of the best players in the NBA. He is a four-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA selection. He is also one of the most popular players in the league.
A Lesson in Perseverance
Joel Embiid's story is a lesson in perseverance. Despite the setbacks he faced, he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NBA. He worked hard to overcome his injuries and conditioning issues. And he eventually achieved his goal.
Embiid's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows us that anything is possible if we never give up on our dreams.
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