Before Joel Embiid became an NBA star for the The Philadelphia 76ersHe was a freshman at the University of Kansas looking to develop before heading to the draft. In one season with the Jayhawks, Embiid averaged 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds before becoming the third overall pick in the 2014 draft.
Since then, Embiid has been phenomenal. Despite his injury issues, the big man has become one of the best players in the league and was named the 2023 MVP. Had he not been injured in the 2023-24 season, he likely would have won his second consecutive MVP award, as he put up numbers comparable to Wilt Chamberlain.
Kansas Coach Bill Self has joined Bleacher Report and discussed what Embiid was like at Kansas and was impressed with what he was able to do in the league:
Well, you know, I wish we could take credit for it because we taught him everything he did in the 9 months he was here, but he’s hands down the most talented guy I’ve ever met.
As long as Embiid is healthy for the 2024-25 season, the Sixers will likely be able to challenge the defending champion. Boston CelticsThe Sixers have a talented trio with Embiid, Paul GeorgeAnd Tyrese Maxey and those three will need to not only be healthy, but develop some chemistry when the playoffs roll around.
Self is right when he says Embiid is one of the most talented players he’s ever been around. Kansas has had some incredible talent in its program, but not many of them at Embiid’s level. Now it just needs a solid playoff run to prove it.
This article was originally published on Sixers Wire: Kansas coach Bill Self congratulates Sixers star Joel Embiid on career
