Coming out of the University of Kansas, Joel Embiid was a highly touted one-and-done NBA prospect. So highly touted, in fact, that for quite some time he was considered a near lock to be the 2015 first overall pick in the NBA draft. Then he suffered some injuries that started to remind some GMs of Greg Oden and he slid to number three behind teammate Andrew Wiggins and Duke's Jabari Parker. To that point, what we knew about Embiid was that he was relatively raw (having first played basketball at age 15), but was dominant on both ends of the floor and was an impact player with a high ceiling albeit with a somewhat concerning injury history.
What we did not know, though, is just how hilarious he was. Thanks to the hyperactive news source/social network/overreaction theater center we affectionately call "Twitter," the world has been blessed with Joel Embiid in all his trolling glory.
It all started with this tweet, as Embiid actively tried to recruit LeBron James to join the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. Of course, that didn't work so well but Philly sure can't blame him for trying. Embiid then followed up with this next conquest:
Not only is he trying to shoot for the stars in professional life, Embiid is aiming high in his personal life. He continued his trolling ways by wooing Kim Kardashian. No word yet on how Kanye West reacted to the news, if he even did, but Embiid’s faithful following kindly informed him of some bad news:
Bummer. However, Embiid did not get down for too long. Less than a week later he turned his focus to another pop superstar:
This one seemed to be at least a little bit more successful, as some people tweeted out that Rihanna actually followed him back. Nice work, Joel, nice work. In fact, he even started a hashtag (#Johanna) of their relationship name. It’s…interesting. Though the pursuit may not have worked out, it is obvious Embiid is confident in his abilities to pick up women.
Joel must be pretty bored to be tweeting all of this stuff, what with his injury, therapy, and recovery lasting at least 4 months. What everyone should keep an eye on is how this behavior changes as he gets healthier and as the season approaches. Even 76ers GM Sam Hinkie said that he is wary of this type of activity during the season. In the meantime, Embiid seems to have found some other stuff to do:
That’s right, a two-sport athlete! He also has been working on his game by playing NBA 2K15, apparently. At the same time, he clearly has not given up on his pursuit of Rihanna:
Though we have yet to see what he has to bring to the court in the NBA, he certainly is the real deal when it comes to Twitter shenanigans.
No you can’t, Joel, no you can’t.