The build-up to the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament in Paris was dominated by the recruitment saga of Joel Embiid, one of the sport’s prominent figures. Born in Cameroon, Embiid had the option of representing his birthplace, France (where he has family ties), or the United States, where he currently resides and plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Although Embiid never resided in France, having moved directly from Cameroon to Florida for high school basketball, he is fluent in French. Reports emerged of a letter allegedly penned by Embiid to French President Emmanuel Macron, expressing his desire to play for France and seek naturalized citizenship. However, neither Embiid nor the French government confirmed the authenticity of this letter.

Despite being granted French citizenship in 2022, Embiid ultimately chose to compete for Team USA in 2023, much to the disappointment of many in the French basketball community. Jean-Pierre Siutat, president of the French Basketball Federation, voiced concern over the impact of Embiid’s inclusion on Team USA’s dominance, especially considering France’s narrow defeat to them in 2021.

However, the frustration reached a new level when Frederic Weis, a former French Olympian, entered the conversation. If you need a reminder of Weis, this clip should jog your memory.

In France, it’s famously referred to as “Le dunk de la mort,” translating to “the dunk of death” in English. Frederic Weis, the No. 15 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, never played in the NBA. However, he’s forever etched in basketball lore for the unforgettable moment when NBA star Vince Carter posterized him during the 2000 Olympics. Given this context, it’s somewhat understandable that Weis harbors some resentment towards Team USA.

When Team USA’s interests clash with those of his home country, Weis doesn’t mince words. On his radio show at the French station RMC, he vented his frustrations with Joel Embiid’s acquisition of French citizenship, seeing it as an unfair advantage unavailable to most prospective immigrants or naturalization candidates.

Weis went as far as labeling Embiid as both a talented player and a “dirty guy,” expressing disdain for the manner in which Embiid seemingly exploited his athletic prowess to secure French citizenship. He accused Embiid of lacking respect for France and criticized the perceived preferential treatment afforded to him due to his athletic stature.

But Weis didn’t stop there. His radical proposal? Ban Embiid from the Olympics altogether and deny him entry into the country. He advocated for stripping Embiid of his French nationality and preventing him from participating in the Games, insisting that Embiid’s Cameroonian and American roots should preclude him from representing France.

This stance sparks an intriguing debate about FIBA’s naturalization rules, which permit each team to include one naturalized player on their roster in international competitions. While this rule potentially benefits Team USA by tapping into a pool of talent readily available in the United States, Weis and France’s grievances center more on Embiid’s rejection of France rather than his selection of Team USA.

Weis’ proposition may seem extreme upon deeper examination. Why single out Embiid? Why not extend the ban to the entire Team USA roster or other formidable competitors like Germany, Canada, Slovenia, and Serbia? Despite the impassioned rhetoric, the likelihood of France precipitating an international incident by barring Embiid’s entry into the country remains slim.

As the stage is set for an electrifying Olympic basketball tournament, the burgeoning rivalry between Embiid and France promises to be a captivating storyline, particularly with the event taking place in Paris. Weis’ fervent displeasure foreshadows intense fanfare when Team USA faces France, underscoring the heightened stakes of this high-profile matchup.