Minutes after the first playoff series win of his career, 76erscenter Joel Embiid sought out Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill and embraced him.
“I was just excited that he got to witness this because he’s always represented the city, and he loved this city so much,” Embiid said late Tuesday night.
Mill attended the Sixers’ series-clinching 104-91 win over the Miami Heat hours after his release from prison earlier Tuesday.
Wearing an Embiid jersey, the Philadelphia-born rapper rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell before tipoff of Game 5. He received a thunderous ovation from the Wells Fargo Center crowd upon introduction and was seated courtside, next to 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin and comedian Kevin Hart.
Before and after the Sixers’ win, Mill met with players and team personnel in the team’s locker room.
“It was like this mass happiness, hysteria,” Rubin said after Philadelphia’s victory. “The city’s so excited to have him. The team’s so excited.”
Mill, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, had been fighting for his release while appealing a two- to four-year sentence for a probation violation.
His controversial incarceration has drawn response from the sports community.
Rubin has been one of Mill’s biggest supporters. He tweeted Tuesday that he was on his way to pick up the rapper from prison, and hours later posted a photo on Instagram of the two heading to Game 5.
For more details: espn.com
