Joel Embiid engaged in a heated exchange with The Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after the latter referenced Embiid’s family in a critical article.
Reports indicate that Embiid confronted Hayes at the Wells Fargo Center, reacting strongly to an opinion piece that questioned his availability in recent seasons and included a reference to Embiid’s late brother, Arthur.
Embiid’s brother passed away in a car accident early in his NBA career, a loss that has profoundly impacted him and inspired his charitable work.
“He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother…Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work,” Hayes wrote.
Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports, who witnessed the exchange, shared that Embiid’s frustration wasn’t over the critique itself but the deeply personal mention of his family.
“You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player,” Embiid reportedly told the reporter, “Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth.”
The NBA has since launched an investigation into the incident, marking the second time this season that Embiid faces scrutiny from the league.
Strong relationship with late brother
Embiid’s connection to his late brother has fueled many of his philanthropic efforts, including his “In Memory of Arthur” initiative, where he pledged $1 million to local nonprofits, and the Arthur Embiid & Angels Foundation supporting underprivileged youth in Cameroon.
“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.”
