Joel Embiid says the individual accolades will come with team success and he’s pushing for the Sixers to have the best defense in the league.
Joel Embiid on Thursday announced that he’s launched a new community initiative in honor of his late brother.
The “In Memory of Arthur" (IMOA) initiative has pledged to grant $1 million to local nonprofit organizations over the next three years.
Arthur Embiid was killed in a 2014 car accident in Cameroon at 13 years old. Embiid’s son, born in September of 2020, is named Arthur.
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Per Embiid’s release, Philadelphia Youth Basketball League, New Options More Opportunities, Youth Empowerment for Advanced Hangout, Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia and Rhymes with Reason will receive grants.
“Philadelphia has been a place where many of my dreams were able to come true, and I wanted to do my part to bring that to others,” Embiid said. “There are a number of organizations in Philadelphia that are creating positive tangible change, but with the IMOA Initiative, we really wanted to focus on those who are often overlooked, but deeply understand the communities they serve. As an NBA player, I’ve been blessed with resources and influence, and with IMOA, I hope to pour back everything I have into my community, by empowering the experts that are the real MVP’s of making a difference.”
Embiid won the NBA’s Community Assist Award in March of 2021 for donating $100,000 to Philadelphia-based organizations that address homelessness.
The five-time All-Star is the longest-serving Sixer by a wide margin. He’s set to be in Philadelphia for a long time, too, with his supermax extension beginning in the 2023-24 season. The release notes Embiid intends to have “an active role within each organization, and plans to visit and volunteer on a year-round basis.”
