Joel Embiid has yet to appear in an NBA game since he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers last year, and you have to wonder if he ever will.
Embiid is expected to miss the entire 2015-2016 season after suffering a setback in his surgically-repaired foot. Embiid missed all of his rookie season after surgery to repair a stress fracture, and Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Embiid’s second surgery will be the result of him rebreaking the same navicular bone.
Obviously, there isn’t much reason to feel optimistic about Embiid’s career. While the former Kansas star is only 21, his injury situation is eerily similar to that of Greg Oden.
As we mentioned last year, Embiid is having the same foot problems that Bill Walton and Yao Ming experienced. While both centers had successful NBA careers, the injuries ultimately forced them into retirement. The foot issues could force Embiid into retirement before his career even begins, which would be a real shame.
