Title
Celebrating Joel Embiid as MVP: “Most Valuable Philadelphian.”
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WHEREAS, Joel Hans Embiid, affectionately known by all Philadelphians as “The Process,” was born on March 16. 1994 in Yaoundé, Cameroon in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Embiid fell in love with basketball at the young age of 15-years-old, and his talents were quickly discovered by NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute at a basketball camp. Embiid moved to the United States when he was 16 with a Moute as his mentor. Embiid began his junior year of high school at Montverde Academy in Florida and moved to The Rock School in Gainesville, Florida to finish his high school career; and
WHEREAS, In November of 2012, Embiid committed to the University of Kansas to play basketball with their Jayhawks. After playing for a season with the team, he declared his intention to enter the NBA draft. He was the third overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014; and
WHEREAS, After a series of injuries kept him off the court during the regular 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons, Embiid had his first regular season game on October 26, 2016 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As starting Center in that game, Embiid recorded 20 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks; and
WHEREAS, During the 2016-2017 season, Embiid was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month multiple times for his skill and athletic ability on the court. During this season, Embiid also earned multiple career highs in point scores and rebounds and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team; and
WHEREAS, During the 2017-2018 season, Embiid topped his career high in points scored in a single game with 46 points. He became the first player since Julius Irving to earn 40 points, seven assists, and seven blocks. Those 46 points were the highest a Philadelphia player scored in the past eleven years. Embiid was named a starter in the 2018 All-Star Game. In that season’s play-offs, Embiid made his debut against the Miami Heat and helped the 76ers take a 2-1 lead in the series and move into the second round of the play-offs; and
WHEREAS, During the 2018-2019 season, Embiid, in the same game, scored 30 points and 19 rebounds, becoming the first player in the franchise to achieve those numbers in a single game in over twenty years. During that same season, Embiid became one of only seven players to achieve 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 200 blocks in their first 100 games; and
WHEREAS, During the 2019-2020 season, following the NBA’s return during the COVID-19 pandemic, Embiid averaged a a career high 30 points per game during the playoffs; and
WHEREAS, During the 2020-2021 season, Embiid led the 76ers to the best record in the Eastern Conference; and
WHEREAS, During the 2021-2022 season, Embiid matched a career high 50 points during a game with the Orlando Magic. He also became the the first 76ers player with a 40-point triple double since Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1968. Since shot clock was introduced in the 1954-1955 season, Embiid became the 5th player in NBA history to score at least 40 points, get 20 rebounds, while shooting 80% or better from the court. Embiid was named the NBA scoring champion at the end of the regular season, becoming the first Center to earn the distinction since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000. In the playoffs, Joel Embiid overcame tremendous adversity to lead the 76ers to victory. Embiid battled his way through a concussion, an orbital fracture, and a torn ligament in his thumb. Wearing a face mask to protect his eye, he led the 76ers to a win over the Miami Heat; and
WHEREAS, Joel Embiid has been a dedicated team member of the Philadelphia 76ers for years, has gained numerous accolades, and led the team through numerous games and tough battles on the way to victory; and
WHEREAS, Joel Embiid is deserving of the distinction of MVP; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby celebrates Joel Embiid as MVP: “Most Valuable Philadelphian.”
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Joel Embiid as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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