Sixers player Joel Embiid receives the Order of Valor in his home country Cameroon

Joel Embiid may have decided to play for the U.S. team at the 2024 Olympics, but he is still popular in his home country of Cameroon. Fresh off a gold medal in Paris, Embiid returned home and received the Commander of the Order of Valor medal from the Cameroonian Minister of Sports and Sport.

The award, originally announced on May 22, 2023, recognizes the Sixers star’s numerous basketball achievements, including being named 2023 NBA MVP.

“It’s worth more than the gold medal,” Embiid said of the honor. “Thank you to the minister, my family and the Cameroonian people who support me. I’m from Cameroon and as I always say, that will never change.”

The Order of Courage is awarded to Cameroonians who make “exceptional contributions in the fields of art, science, agriculture, commerce or industry”.

“Joel Embiid’s success is a testament to the talent and determination of Cameroonian athletes,” said Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi during the ceremony. “This award recognizes his contribution to the development of basketball and the inspiration he offers to future generations.”

Embiid was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and lived there until he was 16, when he moved to Florida to pursue his basketball career.

Cameroon ultimately did not qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in basketball because Embiid chose to compete for Team USA and Pacers star Pascal Siakam missed the Olympic qualifying tournament. But after the gold medal, Embiid hinted that he might reconsider competing for Cameroon at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“It was a good experience,” Embiid said. “It was tough being away from home and family for a couple of weeks. But the guys we have made it easy for us. Paris is a great city, and the next one is LA. Maybe not with Team USA. Maybe with Cameroon.”