Drew Hanlen has described Joel Embiid as one of the vital devoted movie college students within the NBA, whereas acknowledging that he frequently pushes the Philadelphia 76ers star to take larger care of his eating regimen, conditioning and weight-room work.
Hanlen, the CEO of Pure Sweat Basketball and a longtime abilities coach for Embiid, mentioned the All-Star middle’s dedication to learning the sport is uncommon even amongst elite NBA gamers.
“I’m the one which at all times tells Joel, ‘Hey, let’s be extra critical together with your eating regimen, let’s be extra critical together with your weight room, let’s be extra critical together with your conditioning,’” Hanlen mentioned on No Hesitation with Sophie Cunningham & Drew Hanlen, by way of HoopsHype.
Nevertheless, Hanlen emphasised that Embiid’s work ethic on the basketball aspect isn’t one thing he questions.
“As a basketball participant, Joel watches extra movie than anyone. Joel additionally has put in additional work than anyone,” Hanlen mentioned.
Hanlen illustrated that dedication with an instance of the conversations he has with Embiid in the course of the NBA season. The 76ers middle will typically contact his coach after watching a sport and level out a particular motion that he believes might assist Philadelphia.
“He’ll FaceTime me and be like, ‘Yo, did you simply see the inbound play that so and so ran at 2:37 mark within the third quarter?’” Hanlen mentioned. “And I’m like, ‘No,’ he’s like, ‘I feel that’d be actually good, clip that and ship it to teach.’ I’m like, ‘He’s a sicko in a good way.’”
That degree of movie examine has been a notable a part of Embiid’s growth all through his NBA profession. The previous MVP has advanced from a promising younger middle into one of many league’s most versatile offensive gamers, combining publish scoring, face-up assaults, playmaking and three-point taking pictures.
Embiid averaged a career-high 33.1 factors per sport throughout his 2022-23 MVP season whereas taking pictures 54.8% from the sphere and 85.7% from the free-throw line. He adopted that with 34.7 factors per sport in 39 appearances in 2023-24.
Well being and availability, nevertheless, have remained important components all through Embiid’s profession. He performed 19 video games in 2024-25 earlier than returning for 38 video games in 2025-26, when he averaged 26.9 factors, 7.7 rebounds and three.9 assists in 31.6 minutes per sport.
Embiid additionally shot 48.9% from the sphere, 33.3% from three-point vary and 85.4% from the free-throw line final season.
The 2026-27 season presents a unique problem for Embiid and Philadelphia following a serious offseason overhaul. The 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston and signed LeBron James to a minimum-salary contract, becoming a member of Embiid with Tyrese Maxey and making a four-star core.
