Joel Embiid’s Former Agent Recalls Watching a Better Version of Hakeem Olajuwon

When you’re young, you feel invincible. Everything just seems to feel so natural. As a basketball player, all your energy and athleticism can carry you a long way. Before Joel Embiid was a Philadelphia 76er, he was a Kansas Jayhawk, and that is where he had made a huge impression on Arm Tellem, his former agent. Tellem detailed on the Draymond Green Show about what it was like when he first laid eyes on Embiid.

He remembers witnessing him go through his workouts, and he felt that Embiid was going to be something special. 

“I had never seen someone with this package of size, skill, and skill level all together as this young player. It was like watching a better version, to me, of Hakeem Olajuwon," said Tellem.

This is some major praise from an agent regarding a young kid, who hasn’t even reached the age of 21. This type of compliment shows you just what kind of player Embiid is. He showcased every bit of that after he recovered from an injury that sidelined him for his rookie season.  Not too sure if the Olajuwon comparison was warranted, but we can surely say that Embiid is one of the best big men to ever lace them up. 

Embiid’s talent was always there. Even when he was in high school, he had the chops to be a great basketball player. His high school mixtape details all of that. What makes all of this remarkable is not knowing what basketball was until he was a freshman. 

From a young upstart kid who never touched the ball until he was 15 years old to a former MVP, two-time scoring champion, and seven-time all-star, it shows what Embiid has done and could continue to do if his body holds up. This season will mean more to Embiid than anything else. Not because he can’t stay healthy, but because he’s never had this much help since he came into the league. Sure, he had Paul George and James Harden at one point, but it’s nothing like what he has now. 

Having four all-stars on his team aids in the idea that this is enough for him to win. His bench has been the most talented since he has been a 76er. There won’t be anything left for Embiid to accomplish if he can stay on the court and help his team win a championship. Embiid has now slimmed down and may be able to look like that young kid that his former agent saw. 

If Embiid can capture the fountain of youth like LeBron James, this team will be unstoppable.