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Kansas basketball: Former Jayhawk Joel Embiid has real shot at NBA MVP

By Dillon Davis

AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Joel Embiid #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks works against Cameron Ridley #55 of the Texas Longhorns for a rebound during a game at The Frank Erwin Center on February 1, 2014 in Austin, Texas. Texas won the game 81-69. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Joel Embiid #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks works against Cameron Ridley #55 of the Texas Longhorns for a rebound during a game at The Frank Erwin Center on February 1, 2014 in Austin, Texas. Texas won the game 81-69. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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While most of the focus regarding Kansas basketball right now is centered on the No. 5-ranked Jayhawks gearing up for the NCAA Tournament, there is one former Jayhawk who deserves watching just as closely.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is having a potentially historic season as he is currently one of the front-runners for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award.

Following the All-Star break, Embiid leads the NBA in scoring at 29.6 points per game, just slightly ahead of superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. He’s also averaging 11.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game for a Sixers team that sits third in the Eastern Conference.

According to vegasinsider.com, Embiid is currently the favorite to win the award at +125. DraftKings also lists Embiid as the favorite at +130.

Embiid’s success this year is in part due to his ability to stay healthy. Injuries have been a problem over his career, even dating back to his days at Kansas, but this season he’s been able to avoid them and have a tremendous season.

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The one thing that could hurt Embiid in the second half of the season – other than injuries – is the addition of new teammate James Harden.

Harden likes to shoot the ball (a lot) and that could result in less shot attempts and points for Embiid. But if his scoring average stays high, he will still have a great chance at winning MVP.

If he were to do so, he would be the first former Jayhawk since basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain won the award in 1968 for the third consecutive year.

During the 1967-68 season, Wilt the Stilt averaged 24.3 points and 23.8 rebounds per game. What’s even more impressive is that Chamberlain led the NBA in assists that year with 8.6 per game.

Embiid’s name has been mentioned with Wilt more than once this year.

Earlier in the season, Embiid had 23 games consecutive games scoring 25 points or more. It was the fourth longest streak in NBA history behind Chamberlain (twice) and Rick Barry.

Then on Feb. 12, Embiid became the first 76ers player since Chamberlain in 1968 (his last MVP season) to score a 40-point triple-double.

Winning the MVP would be huge for Embiid and his legacy, but it would also be a great selling point for KU on the recruiting trail.

Embiid came to KU a talented, but very raw prospect. In fact, he didn’t start playing basketball until the age of 15.

Under Self and his staff, Embiid’s game grew rapidly – as did his popularity among Jayhawk fans – and he became the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

While that is a great selling point in itself, very few current college head coaches can tell recruits they coached an NBA MVP. That may change for Bill Self if Embiid stays on his current path.

It’s unclear whether Embiid will ultimately win this year’s award, but one thing is for certain, his Jayhawk family will be rooting for him every step of the way.

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