"That's my fault. I'm a piece of s—t" - Joel Embiid on the first thought that went through his head after he learned of his brother's death

Joel Embiid, reflecting on the tragic death of his younger brother Arthur, revealed his immediate reaction upon learning the news was profound guilt, stating, "That's my fault. I'm a piece of s—t."

Embiid's path to the NBA began in Cameroon, where he started playing basketball at 15 and was discovered by former NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute. He moved to the United States at 16, overcoming initial struggles to excel in high school and play at Kansas.

Selected 3rd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft, Embiid hadn't seen his brother Arthur since leaving Cameroon. Tragically, Arthur, only 13, was killed months later when hit by a truck walking home from school.

Plans for the family to reunite on draft night were thwarted as Embiid, recovering from foot surgery in Los Angeles, was advised against flying, while Arthur remained on the East Coast.

Arthur's death devastated Embiid. His 2014 agent, Francois Nyam, confirmed Embiid's initial self-blaming response. Over a decade later, Embiid has become an NBA MVP and dominant player, building his own family and naming his son after Arthur.

Despite his success and the passage of time, Embiid admits the pain and guilt from his brother's loss persist. "It's never going to change," he emphasized. "I still feel it."