On the side, Sixers' Embiid works his way back

He remains the man of mystery, but also the one who gives the 76ers the most hope.

While the team was scrimmaging Tuesday in preparation for its home game Wednesday against the Washington Wizards, injured center Joel Embiid was off to the side, but easy to notice.

Embiid, the third overall NBA draft choice from Kansas, was working on an array of moves, shooting long jumpers and showing the type of athletic ability more associated with a guard than a center listed at 7-foot and 250 pounds.

Embiid has missed all season while recovering from predraft foot surgery. The Sixers say they won't permit him to talk to the media until he participates in five-on-five scrimmaging, which likely won't be this season, since only four games remain.

As usual, Embiid showed glimpses of great athletic ability Tuesday, whether it was executing drop steps near the basket, moving out and shooting threes, or working on right- and lefthanded jump hooks.

And while the media have seen these glimpses, his team has viewed much more. Anybody who is asked about Embiid's ability immediately begins smiling before describing it.

"He is somebody who will always grab attention," said forward-center Nerlens Noel, who did the same last year when he missed the season while recovering from knee surgery. "His shooting ability is definitely there; he has expanded and is shooting threes now."

Not only is he shooting them, but Embiid is making a lot of them.

"When Joel is dribbling and shooting threes the way he is now, I am in awe," point guard Ish Smith said.

So, apparently, is Sixers coach Brett Brown, who recently has seen Embiid add another element to his workout. Embiid has begun playing a little two-on-two.

"When you see glimpses of his skill package, you can't help but say 'wow,' " Brown said.

Again, from just the glimpses, what impresses onlookers is how effortless Embiid is. He thinks nothing of juggling a basketball several times with his feet and then shooting a three and scoring.

While the juggling part won't help him in the NBA, it offers an idea of his athletic ability.

"I think his upside is what everybody else thinks," Brown said. "It is big."

Notes. Brown said that point guard Isaiah Canaan, who suffered a right-foot sprain April 1 at Washington, is out for the season.