Former Kansas Star Joel Embiid Opens up About Time With Jayhawks

Despite his NBA success, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has faced significant hardships since entering the league. An ESPN article detailed his personal journey, including his time at Kansas (KU). Embiid initially planned to redshirt and spend five years at KU but ended up as a one-and-done player.

Having started basketball at age 16, Embiid didn't understand scouts' fascination with his physical abilities. He recalled intending to stay in college, feeling undeserving of NBA attention due to his modest 11-point average and limited understanding of the basketball system. Ultimately, he followed advice from his father and former NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute to leave KU early.

Though typically quiet, KU coach Bill Self shared an anecdote about freshman Embiid telling students he killed a lion in Cameroon, which some believed. Self noted Embiid rarely expressed true feelings, making it surprising when the player later actively crafted a vibrant social media persona. Self admitted he initially questioned this approach, thinking "Jo, what are you doing? Would you just keep your mouth shut? Stay off social media."

The article also highlighted Embiid's ongoing struggles with loneliness and grief, stemming from his injury history and the tragic death of his 13-year-old brother.