Former KU center Joel Embiid of the 76ers has picked up a nickname this offseason
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Joel Embiid returns to Sixers workouts post-surgery, brace no longer visible.
- Kelly Oubre Jr. commits to 76ers after picking up $8.4 million player option.
- Oubre addresses fan criticism, cites injury perseverance and strong production.
Former Kansas men’s basketball center Joel Embiid, who played in just 19 games for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers a year ago because of injury, appears to be healthy as the start of training camp nears.
The Sixers last week posted some pictures on social media that showed a fit Embiid working out with his teammates.
In fact, Embiid, who was listed at 7-foot, 280 pounds last season, has been referred to as “Slimbiid” in various articles all over social media with the originator of the nickname believed to be a social media user named MrBuckBuck.
The 31-year old Embiid has been shown practicing without the knee brace he’s used for support when he’s been able to play the past two seasons. He had an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee on April 9. This surgery followed a previous meniscus repair in February of 2024. He played in 39 games in 2023-24.
He has suffered from pain and swelling during times he’s been able to take the court for Philly. Embiid has not been able to contribute much since winning league MVP honors in 2023.
“As the Sixers tend to do, the team waited until Philadelphia was abuzz with another storyline—the 50th home run of the season by Kyle Schwarber—to release the first footage of Embiid in the gym since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last April,” wrote Zach Ciavolella of phillysportsnetwork.com.
“In a thread on X, the team posted photos and videos of several players working out on the court. Among these players was Joel Embiid, of whom the team posted a five-second clip. Surely, not much can stand out in a five-second clip. However, Airplane jokes aside, something instantly caught the eye of those in the Sixersverse: the absence of any type of brace, pad, sleeve or even tape on Embiid’s left knee.
“In the clip, Embiid makes his signature motion in the post before rising for an elbow jumper,” Ciavolella added. “Does this signify that he’s back and ready to dominate the court? No, but it certainly provides a morsel of hope to the Sixers fanbase, who were otherwise left to their own imaginations. ...
“After an offseason of nearly complete silence, Sixers fans have their first taste of hope when it comes to Embiid.”
“Legit looks good (in photos at least),” Yahoo Sports podcaster/writer Kevin O’Connor wrote on a post on X that included a picture of Embiid preparing to shoot.
Meanwhile, another former Jayhawk who plays for the Sixers, Kelly Oubre Jr., is also in the news as the start of 2025-26 preseason camp nears.
After Oubre picked up his $8.4 million option for the 2025-26 season, he appeared to respond to fans calling for a possible trade of the 29-year old Oubre, who averaged 15.1 points a game last season.
“I love Philly, but the love doesn’t seem to be reciprocated,” Oubre said on Instagram on Sept. 9 as reported by Sixers Wire reporter Ky Carlin. “What happened to this place? And for those saying I’m garbage because my 3-point % went down, I $till put up numbers and I’d $Till cook you. I played through finger surgery’s on my (left hand) thumb and pinky for three years, but $Till put my soul in this (expletive). That’s one thing only GOD can take from me. Hope to see ya’ll soon. Godspeed.”
In April, Oubre said: “I’m a Philadelphia 76er. I’m blessed to be a part of this organization. Also this is a business. At the end of the day, I’m happy and I ... like to finish what I start and I don’t feel complete. So, you know, godspeed.”
Oubre, who has played for five teams in a 10-year career, is beginning season No. 3 in Philly.
