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NBA draft: Potential number one pick Joel Embiid suffers foot injury

Joel Embiid's chances of being the first overall selection have taken a major hit.

By David Zavac
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN's Jeff Goodman - and then confirmed by ESPN's Chad Ford, and ESPN's Grantland Editor Bill Simmons - Kansas center Joel Embiid, a candidate to be taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers first overall next Thursday, has suffered a foot injury.

Joel Embiid, considered the front-runner to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, has suffered a right foot injury, his agent and his mentor both confirmed to ESPN.com on Thursday.

"He suffered a foot injury to his right foot, sometime over the last few days,'' agent Arn Tellem told ESPN's Andy Katz by phone Thursday. "He's getting evaluations from various doctors and experts in the field. We'll know more Friday.''

One source for ESPN speculated that Embiid's foot may be broken. Original reports from Ford and Fox Sports' Sam Amico and Probasketballdraft all stated that Embiid's workout with the Cavs had been fine. The concern had been a stress fracture in Embiid's back that had supposedly healed. This presents a new and different issue.

This may, and I stress the may, have been what Cleveland radio personality Tony Rizzo meant when he said that the Cavs had found red flags with Embiid physically.

It should be noted that Simmons still wants his Celtics to draft Embiid. We have no idea how serious this injury is. That being said, it's hard to justify the investment in a guy who has had a few back issues and now foot problems in just four years of competitive basketball.

In the meantime, you have to feel terribly for the 20 year old. He has millions of dollars at stake and seems like a great kid. You hate to see this happen.

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