Just over a year after becoming a United States citizen, Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has decided to play for the U.S. at next year's Olympics in France.

The reigning NBA MVP could have also played for his homeland Cameroon or France, which in July 2022 issued Embiid a French passport as “a foreigner whose naturalisation is of exceptional interest.”

“I've been here for such a long time,” Embiid, who was sworn in as an American citizen in September 2022, said Thursday.

“For the past few years, every decision I've made has been based on just family. My family, my son, and having the chance to represent a country like the U.S., with my son being born here.

"I love my home country, but I really wanted to play in the Olympics.”

on top of the world. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/QpYFOz7Hie

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 5, 2023

Embiid and the 76ers started training camp this week after he earned his first NBA MVP award last season.

The 29-year-old averaged a career-high 33.1 points to lead the NBA while finishing seventh in the league in blocks (1.7), eighth in rebounding (10.2) and 20th in field-goal percentage (54.8).

Embiid also tied a personal best with 4.2 assists per game.

The United States is hoping more NBA superstars choose to play in France when the team will be chasing a fifth straight gold medal.

“You want to play with great players,” Embiid said. “But I didn't think about that at all.”