[1] Almeida is the co-founder of Cape Verdean professional team Kriol Star, as well as of the Capeverdean Basketball League.

Joel Almeida went to the northeastern United States, where he attended Mohawk Valley Community College between 2006 and 2008 in Utica, New York and played for the NJCAA's Division III, in 2008, he played with Brockport State for one season, a college located west of Rochester which took part in the NCAA's Division III.

He came back to his native country in 2009 and played for two seasons with Seven Stars who went to the National Basketball Championships, there he was the Best Player of the Year.

Almeida played in Cyprus in September 14 and the team ForexTime Apollon Limassol in the country's First Division, a month later, he left.

On January 16, 2015, Almeida moved to play with Xuven Cambados in LEB Plata's Third Division in Spain.

In December 2021, Almeida joined Cameroonian club FAP to play in the second round of the 2022 BAL qualification.

[2] In 2024, Almeida co-founded the Cape Verdean professional club Kriol Star, along with his brother Ivan.

On December 2, 2024, Kriol Star defeated favored Urunani in the semifinal, subsequently qualifying for the main season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and becoming the first Cape Verdean team to do so.