NBA Draft 2014: Joel Embiid Injured! Broken Foot Requires Surgery! The Next Olajuwon Becomes Next Greg Oden? Draft Order Shakes Up!
The NBA Draft 2014 is oozing with talent, it was difficult to decide which player should be no. 1. That was until Joel Embiid separated himself from the rest with his combination of size, athleticism and upside.
Even while the Cleveland Cavaliers was playing coy, most insiders and draft experts predicted Embiid at no.1. Mock drafts from ESPN, SI and Draft Express also had him at the top. There were some questions about his back injury that kept him from the NCAA tournament last March-probably the only hindrance to his crowning as the first overall pick.
Unfortunately, the questions were answered. In a statement (quoted by ESPN) Embiid's agent admitted that he has a foot injury that actually brought him under the knife (as of this writing, he has already undergone the operation). The statement: "Joel Embiid suffered a stress fracture to the navicular bone in his right foot. He is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow. Joel will be unable to participate in any additional workouts, and will not attend the draft in New York. We will have no further comment until after the surgery."
Post surgery feedback from ESPN:
"The surgeon, Dr. Richard Ferkel, said that Embiid 'tolerated the surgery without difficulty' and claimed that the 7-foot center should 'be able to return to NBA basketball.'"
It's still not enough reassurance to pass up the wealth of talent on the table who could play and contribute right away. The process was explained in detail:
Dr. Ferkel: "Two screws were inserted into the navicular bone in Joel Embiid's right foot. The surgery went very well and I'm confident that after appropriate healing he will be able to return to NBA Basketball. Joel tolerated the surgery without difficulty and will begin his rehabilitation in the near future."
The projected recovery time is 4-6 months. Meanwhile. The big question is who will take a risk for Embiid? The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers were already contemplating between Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker. The Cavs will probably take one of them and the Sixers need to make a choice from the other prospects. Embiid may fall to sixth or seventh, as Orlando and Utah, teams at 5th or 6th need immediate help.
Still, Embiid remains positive. He has shared a selfie during the surgery on his social media accounts. And this tweet:
It's all good GOD has a plan for all of us!!! MINOR setback for a MAJOR comeback. He knows what he's doing #WAFA #NBA
— Joel-Hans Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 19, 2014