Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, for the first time in his pro-career, appears to be back to full health.
Embiid, speaking Saturday at the Sixers Beach Bash, says he feels ‘a hundred percent’ healthy, also adding that he’s looking forward to getting started with the team:
@Sixers center Joel Embiid on how he is feeling pic.twitter.com/cM6AyxuOLx
— Marc Narducci (@sjnard) August 27, 2016
Embiid, who was selected No. 3 overall by Philadelphia in the 2014 draft, is expected by many to develop into an elite big man down the road.
Plagued by injuries ever since the day he was drafted, Embiid hasn’t even gotten the opportunity to make his NBA debut yet.
Head coach Brett Brown spoke about Embiid’s progression earlier in the month:
“I just left my third consecutive day working out with Joel 45 minutes ago,” Brown told ESPN’s Zach Lowe. “Physically, mentally, recent medical scans, everything is pointing in the right direction. We’re just very excited.”
Embiid, who’s expected to make his debut during Philadelphia’s preseason in October, will likely face a minutes restriction early on.
@Sixers Joel Embiid explains why there will be some restrictions when he gets to training camp pic.twitter.com/EDFx5PQyil
— Marc Narducci (@sjnard) August 27, 2016
Embiid averaged 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds in 28 games with Kansas before declaring for the NBA draft.
He’ll likely start the season coming off the bench behind Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, unless the team manages to trade Noel away before the first game.