Joel Embiid, the rising NBA personality known for using social media to make jokes, interact with fans, and poke fun at players, has won Sports Illustrated’s Rising Star of the Year Award. In only his second official year in the league, he has quickly established himself as a dominant player, and a fan-favorite. Sports Illustrated offers more on the recipient of this award:
“SI recognizes the champions of tomorrow by spotlighting the best up-and-coming athletes of today—and no one has a brighter future than the second-year 76ers star. As the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s rebuilding plan, The Process has led the long-suffering franchise to a winning record so far this season and is already one of the league’s best players and most entertaining personalities.
The 23-year old from Cameroon has taken over the basketball world, posting 22.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season. Embiid was drafted No. 3 in the 2014 NBA Draft out of Kansas University, but his early career was mired by injuries. He missed his first two seasons with a broken bone in his foot, and he played just 31 games last season before he was shut down after tearing the meniscus in his left knee.” (Sports Illustrated)
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