Former Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid signs lucrative NBA contract extension

It’s been an outstanding summer for former University of Kansas basketball center Joel Embiid.

The 2023 NBA MVP, who recently won a gold medal with the 2024 U.S. Olympic team in Paris, on Friday signed a three-year, $193 million maximum contract extension to stay with the Philadelphia 76ers through the 2028-29 season.

“Philadelphia is home,” Embiid, 30, wrote on Instagram in announcing his signing. Later the team confirmed in a news release.

“I want to be here the rest of my career. I love this community and everything you’ve given me and my family. There is a lot more work to do. You guys deserve a championship and I think we’re just getting started,” he wrote in a message to fans.

The 7-foot, 280-pound Embiid played a one-and-done season at KU in 2013-14. He has been with the Sixers for 10 seasons. In 2014, he was the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

He is still in the second year of a $196 million extension he signed prior to the 2021-22 season. He’s hoping to eventually lead the Sixers to the franchise’s first NBA title since 1983. Philly last reached the NBA Finals in 2001.

“I had no idea when I was drafted as a 20-year-old kid from Cameroon how lucky I was to be in Philadelphia,” Embiid said in a statement reported at nba.com. “Through all the ups and downs, this city and the fans have been everything and I am so grateful for how they’ve embraced me.”

Embiid is a seven-time All-Star (2017-24) with five all-NBA postseason honors and three all-NBA defensive team selections, He is a two-time NBA scoring champion.

He has been injury prone, never playing more than 68 games in a season. Last season, he played in 39 games, averaging 34.7 points per contest.

“Joel has cemented himself as one of the greatest Sixers of all time and is well on his way to being one of the best players to ever play the game. We’re ecstatic that this extension keeps him and his family in Philadelphia for years to come,” team owner Josh Harris said in a statement to nba.com. “Joel is a great family man, leader and person. He is an elite two-way player with a combination of size, strength, and athleticism that this league has rarely — if ever — seen. He is integral to this franchise’s quest for another NBA championship, and we are honored that he continues to choose this organization as his NBA home.”

Embiid in 433 career games has averaged 27.9 points per game on 50.4% shooting. He’s averaged 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 blocked shots in 31.9 minutes per game.

He is No. 1 in franchise history in scoring average (27.9 ppg), fifth in blocked shots (720), tied for sixth in triple-doubles (seven), and seventh in total points scored (12,071). Embiid also ranks third on the franchise list with eight 50-point games.

His college coach, Bill Self, recently spoke of Embiid on Seth Davis’ Bleacher Report podcast.

“He’s the most talented guy I’ve ever been around hands down by far,” Self said. “Joel was definitely the most elite guy I’ve ever been around. He is one of the most skilled bigs our game has ever seen. It’s been special to watch,” Self added of Embiid’s career blossoming in the pros.

“His intellect is off the charts. His ability to pick stuff up. … I mean some guys are visual learners. Some guys learn in different ways. It didn’t matter with Joel. As far as basketball feel, reading the room and understanding situations, he was way beyond his years in many ways,” Self added.