76ers’ Joel Embiid ditches Kansas for fictional university in NBC intro

Joel Embiid has undoubtedly had a big few days. He returned just in time to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics in a thrilling seven-game series, which set up a Western Conference semifinals date with the New York Knicks.

And while he may have been able to ditch the right hip contusion to start in Game 1 against New York, Embiid has seemingly ditched his university as well. The 32-year-old, who played for the Kansas Jayhawks during his college years, claimed in his NBC Sports introduction for Game 1 that he was from the ‘Big-Guard’ University.

Joel Embiid states his school is "Big Guard University" in NBC's Sixers starting lineup intro

(via @NBAonNBC)pic.twitter.com/NfH0Qt9vWX

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“Joel Embiid, Big Guard University,” Embiid hilariously said in the clip.

The 7-foot Center is known for his ‘guard-like’ dribbling and passing skills, and is often said to be part of the fictitious university. Of course, Philadelphia will once again need all of his skills if they are to reach the conference finals.

Embiid has once again had a slow start in the postseason due to injuries, largely due to the emergency appendectomy back in April, as well as the knee scare that he had in the first round against the Celtics. Philadelphia, however, saw their talisman produce a massive 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the decisive Game 7, which helped them to a commanding 109-100 win.

The 76ers opened Game 7 with a 32-19 quarter and never looked back, with Tyrese Maxey scoring 30 points alongside 11 rebounds and seven assists to support Embiid. They have not had a similar start in Game 1 against New York, finishing the quarter 33-25.

However, Embiid is once again the main man and had eight points despite going just 1-6 from the field, the highest on the team. The Knicks have shot much better thus far, with Jalen Brunson emerging as the top scorer across the two teams. He had 14 points and two assists at the end of the quarter.

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