Finally!

Rookie Joel Embiid makes an instant impact in the hobby.

- Stephen Laroche

The wait for Joel Embiid to arrive in the NBA has been an arduous one for fans of the Philadelphia 76ers, but some of that suffering has finally come to an end thanks to an impressive start to his pro career that has made him a favorite in the race for Rookie of the Year.

Born in Cameroon and discovered by former NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute, Embiid came to the United States at the age of 16. He spent only a single season at Kansas and was a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year before declaring himself ready for the pro ranks.

There was one problem, though. A few days before the Sixers took him third overall, he had to have surgery on a broken bone in his foot. Originally expected to be out for a few months, he missed a total of two full seasons and as a result, interest in his cards stagnated.