Joel Embiid’s struggles while missing his first two NBA seasons due to injury have been well-chronicled. In that time, he also dealt with his brother dying.
Embiid, via ESPN Radio:
I was such in a dark place. I wanted to quit basketball. I just wanted to go back home and just leave everything behind.
That was right after my second surgery. I just couldn’t do it anymore. I just wanted to, like, quit.
Thankfully -- for both him and us -- Embiid stuck it out.
Considering it took him so long to get on the court, we never would have known what we’d be missing if he retired early. But now we know.
Embiid is one of the NBA’s top young players and has almost singlehandedly made the 76ers fun to watch. He plays with such an outward enthusiasm, he can’t help but rally teammates and fans around him.
