It’s not going to take long for one-and-done Kansas University center Joel Embiid to become a fan favorite in the NBA.
The gregarious 7-footer from Cameroon began heading down that road within days of becoming the No. 3 overall draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers.
He first made a splash on The Dan Patrick Show. The sportscaster spoke with Embiid about his ailing foot, his soccer background, his future in the league and how it appeared during the live NBA Draft television broadcast that Embiid wasn’t pleased to be taken by the 76ers.
Before long, Embiid had Patrick cracking up.
But his star really began to shine as more people became aware of his tweet game. In the past couple of months, [@JoelEmbiid][1] has:
• tried to recruit LeBron James to the Sixers
Been a day.. still waiting for @KingJames to answer me like (TAPE DELAY GUYS) how can you do that to me? @espn pic.twitter.com/LkeGQLrszQ
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 3, 2014
• declared his affection for Kim Kardashian, and then backed off
Oh I didn’t know you were married sorry @KimKardashian just saw it from the fan’s tweet… have a nice day
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 16, 2014
• claimed multiple times he is going to stop tweeting
Gotta keep it real…. at least I do. See y’all in a couple weeks
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 11, 2014
I must go on another break peace
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 16, 2014
I wanna tweet so bad about the espys but I’m supposed to be out bye
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 17, 2014
Media is bad, really bad……. can mess your life up!!!! Use it wisely #EMB11Dsadvice I’m really out now for a while.
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 17, 2014
Alright I’m out until I’m back on the court. Deleting twitter on my phone but I need some more #EMB11DsADVICE.Gonna check it on the computer
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 18, 2014
• and announced his interest in pop star Rihanna
BREAKING NEWS: Moving on from kk to Rihanna
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 22, 2014
That’s all I gotta say……@rihanna repping the @Sixers and my jersey number #EMB11D ( got this from JD) pic.twitter.com/QVsqP7SvGs
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) July 23, 2014
Currently (as of Wednesday afternoon at least) Embiid’s Twitter profile pic was a manipulated photo of him and Rihanna on a dinner date. And, of course, he has given this potential super-couple a nickname: Johanna.
Whatever his intentions — amusing himself or his 294,000 followers or something else — it’s working. The world famous performer, with 36.7 million Twitter followers of her own, followed Embiid back.
The light-hearted big man described his reaction to that news [in at interview with Complex][2] — it basically involved smiling and a little celebratory dance.
Reporter Lang Whitaker also inquired with the injured rookie about his exploits for the [All Ball blog at NBA.com][3].
In a video interview, Whitaker cut right to the chase, asking: “How’s it going with Rhianna?”
Embiid didn’t blink.
“It’s going pretty well,” he replied with the mock sincerity of a trained comedic actor.
They discussed his alleged date with the pop star and how he was able to pull that off.
“Girls love when I speak French, so every time I call, I just call them up in French,” Embiid said.
[Watch the whole interview at NBA.com][4].
In the meantime, make sure you keep up with the burgeoning comedian on Twitter for cheap/enjoyable entertainment.
Rare moment of me smiling with my brother @22wiggins .That burger was juicy and I ain’t even flexing #Wigginscantjump pic.twitter.com/XFN9lwDlrM
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 4, 2014
—
*- [Follow @BentonASmith on Twitter.][5]*
[1]: https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid
[2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCMMURUmS6A
[3]: http://allball.blogs.nba.com/2014/08/05/joel-embiid-on-his-relationship-with-rihanna/?cid=nbacomsocial_20140806_29223206
[4]: http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2014/08/05/20140805-lang-embiid-rhianna-date.nba/index.html
[5]: https://twitter.com/BentonASmith
