Career Timeline of Joel Embiid: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Joel Embiid built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Joel Embiid, a Cameroonian and American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers, is a dominant force in the NBA. Drafted third overall in 2014 after a year at Kansas, the 7-foot center has become a seven-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA Team member, and three-time All-Defensive Team selection. Embiid is also a two-time NBA scoring champion and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2023. He also won a gold medal on the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1954: First player in the shot clock era to have 45 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while being on the court less than 31 minutes

On November 6, 2023, Embiid posted 48 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists on 17–25 shooting from the field in a 146–128 victory over the Washington Wizards. Embiid also became the first player in the shot clock era (since 1954–55 season) to have 45 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while being on the court less than 31 minutes.

1967: Embiid scored 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs breaking a Sixers franchise record for most points in a game previously set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1967.

On January 22, 2024, Embiid scored 70 points along with 18 rebounds and five assists in a 133–123 win over the San Antonio Spurs, breaking the Sixers franchise record for most points in a game previously set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1967. With the performance, Embiid also became the ninth player in NBA history to score 70 or more points in a game, and the third center to reach the mark, joining Chamberlain and David Robinson. He also became the first player in NBA history to score at least 70 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a game.

April 2014: Declared for NBA Draft

On 9 April 2014, Joel Embiid declared for the 2014 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

June 2014: Underwent Surgery

On 20 June 2014, Joel Embiid underwent surgery on a broken navicular bone in his right foot and was ruled out for four to six months, and six days later, he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.

August 2014: Signed Rookie Contract

On 26 August 2014, Joel Embiid signed his rookie scale contract with the 76ers and was later ruled unlikely to play in the 2014–15 season due to his foot injury.

2014: Drafted by the 76ers

In 2014, after one year of college basketball, Joel Embiid was drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft.

October 2016: Preseason and Regular Season Debut

On 4 October 2016, Joel Embiid started at center in the 76ers' first preseason game against the Boston Celtics. Later, on 26 October 2016, Embiid made his long-awaited NBA regular-season debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder, recording 20 points and 7 rebounds.

January 2017: Eastern Conference Player of the Week

On 11 January 2017, Embiid grabbed a then-career high 14 rebounds. On 23 January, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, 16 January through Sunday, 22 January.

February 2017: Embiid named to preliminary Cameroon team for FIBA AfroBasket

On February 7, 2017, Embiid was named to the preliminary Cameroon team to compete in the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket in the Republic of Congo.

October 2017: Signed Contract Extension

On 10 October 2017, Joel Embiid signed a five-year, $148 million contract extension with the 76ers. On 18 October, Embiid made 18 points and 13 rebounds. Five days later, he scored 30 points.

October 2018: Double-Double Against Bucks

On 24 October 2018, Joel Embiid had 30 points and 19 rebounds in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the franchise's first player to reach those marks in the same game since Charles Barkley in November 1991. On 27 October 2018, he registered a double-double in all six games to start the season.

February 2020: Season-High Points

On 20 February 2020, Joel Embiid scored a then season-high 39 points. Four days later, Embiid scored a then-career high 49 points against the Atlanta Hawks.

February 2021: Career-High Points

On 20 February 2021, Joel Embiid recorded a double-double with a then-career-high 50 points in a win against the Chicago Bulls.

March 2021: Donation to fight homelessness

In March 2021, Joel Embiid donated $100,000 of his 2021 NBA All-Star Game winnings to fight homelessness in Philadelphia.

April 2021: NBA Cares Community Assist Award

In April 2021, Embiid received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for donating $100,000 to fight homelessness.

August 2021: Embiid signed a four-year extension with the 76ers

In August 2021, Joel Embiid signed a four-year, $196 million contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers.

January 2022: Embiid matched his career high of 50 points

In January 2022, Joel Embiid matched his then-career high of 50 points on 17-for-23 shooting from the field, along with 12 rebounds and three blocks, in a 123–110 win over the Orlando Magic.

November 2022: Embiid scored a career-high 59 points against the Utah Jazz

On November 13, 2022, Embiid scored a career-high 59 points along with 11 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks in a 105–98 victory over the Utah Jazz.

2022: Expiration of Under Armour deal

In 2022, Embiid's five-year sneaker sponsorship deal with Under Armour expired.

November 2023: Embiid recorded his sixth 45-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist game

On November 6, 2023, Embiid posted 48 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists on 17–25 shooting from the field in a 146–128 victory over the Washington Wizards. Embiid also recorded his sixth 45-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist game, passing Wilt Chamberlain for most in Sixers history.

2023: Founded Miniature Géant

In 2023, Joel Embiid founded Miniature Géant, a production studio, in partnership with Lebron James's SpringHill Company, focusing on African storytelling.

January 2024: Embiid put up a triple-double with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists through playing only the first three quarters

On January 2, 2024, Embiid put up a triple-double with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists through playing only the first three quarters in a 110–97 win over the Chicago Bulls. He became the first player in NBA history to put up at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a game without playing in the fourth quarter.

April 2024: Embiid recorded a playoff career-high 50 points against the New York Knicks and revealed he was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy

On April 25, 2024, Embiid put up a playoff career-high 50 points along with eight rebounds and four assists in the Sixers' 125–114 victory in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks. In the press conference after the game, he stated that he had been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and had been dealing with migraines and blurred vision.

September 19, 2024: Embiid signed a three-year extension

On September 19, 2024, Embiid signed a three-year, $193 million extension, which would keep him under contract through the 2028–29 season.

2024: New sneaker deal with Skechers

In 2024, Embiid officially announced a new sneaker deal with Skechers.

2024: Committed to play for the U.S. Olympic team

In 2024, Joel Embiid committed to play for the U.S. Olympic team in Paris, motivated by the desire to win a gold medal for his son.

2024: Miniature Géant announced projects

In 2024, Miniature Géant announced two projects: a documentary about Memphis Depay and Backline, a narrative feature about African athletes breaking into professional American football.

2024: Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 19 total starts during the 2024-25 NBA season.

On February 28, 2025, the 76ers announced that Embiid would miss the remainder of the season due to ongoing issues with his left knee. In 19 total starts for Philadelphia during the 2024–25 NBA season, he averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

February 4, 2025: Embiid returned after a left knee injury

On February 4, 2025, Embiid returned after a left knee injury sidelined him the previous 15 games. He recorded his eighth career triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 118–116 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

December 12, 2025: Embiid scored a then season-high 39 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 115–105 win over the Indiana Pacers.

On December 12, 2025, Embiid scored a then season-high 39 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 115–105 win over the Indiana Pacers.

2025: Start of Backline production

In 2025, production was set to begin on Backline, with filming split between Nigeria and the United States.

January 22, 2026: Embiid recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a 128–122 overtime win over the Houston Rockets.

On January 22, 2026, Embiid recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a 128–122 overtime win over the Houston Rockets.

2028: Possible play for Cameroon

In 2028, Embiid may potentially play for Cameroon in the future, pending permission from FIBA and the United States men's national basketball team.

2028: Embiid to remain under contract through 2028-29