During training camp, Joel Embiid would sit on a chair inside the foul line and take shots or an assistant coach would throw him bounce passes on the low block, also while he was sitting.

No matter the drill, Embiid had to be sitting. He had strict instructions to put zero weight on his surgically-repaired right foot.

Eventually, Embiid progressed to shooting while standing on his left foot and resting the right one on a chair. Now the chair is gone.

"He is progressing," Sixers head coach Brett Brown said Tuesday. "He actually can do some standstill shooting. He has cleared that first layer of scrutiny from the doctor."

Embiid had surgery last June. At the time, he was expected to be out six to eight months. The life of an NBA rookie can be difficult as it is, let alone when his passion is taken away.

"I have known him for many years now, but being a professional is very different," Luc Mbah a Moute said of his teammate and fellow countryman. "He is just trying to find his way being an NBA player, with family here and family back home. He is sorting through life."

Embiid continues to rehab and support his teammates from the sidelines during home games.

There still is no official timetable for the No. 3 overall pick's return to the court, although it is highly likely the Sixers will keep him out for the entire season like they did with Nerlens Noel a year ago.