French forward Guerschon Yabusele is set to make his return to the NBA, with reports indicating he is expected to sign a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Yabusele, who shone brightly at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is seen as a versatile asset that could bolster the Sixers' roster.
Olympic Glory
Yabusele's Olympic performance was nothing short of impressive. As France's second-leading scorer, he averaged 14 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, showcasing his shooting efficiency with a 52% field goal percentage. His standout moment came in the quarterfinals against Canada, where he scored 22 points, propelling France to the semifinals.
Starting on the bench, Yabusele earned his promotion to the starting lineup, eventually playing a crucial role alongside Isaia Cordinier. Both players emerged as key scoring options, especially when veterans Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier struggled during the group stage. In the gold-medal match against Team USA, Yabusele continued to impress, contributing 20 points.
Transition Back to the NBA
Yabusele’s NBA journey began when he was drafted 16th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA Draft. However, his initial stint was underwhelming. Limited to just 74 games over two seasons, he averaged a mere six minutes per game before being waived by the Celtics in 2019. Post-NBA, Yabusele honed his skills in France and China before making a significant impact with Real Madrid over the past three seasons.
At Real Madrid, Yabusele established himself as a versatile forward, known for his strength inside and his ability to shoot three-pointers. Despite having one year left on his $2.5 million contract, he is working on a buyout agreement to facilitate his move to the 76ers.
Yabusele expressed his readiness for the new challenge, stating on X, "Been waiting for a 2nd chance.. I'm ready."
Philadelphia's Prospective Gain
The 76ers have confidence in Yabusele's abilities and believe in his potential to make a significant impact. His performance at the Paris Olympics has not gone unnoticed, and Philadelphia's decision to sign him reflects their strategic move to enhance their roster with a player who has both international and previous NBA experience. Given his demonstrated scoring ability and versatility at Real Madrid, Yabusele’s return to the NBA is highly anticipated.
With a robust build and an improved skill set, Yabusele brings a mix of strength and shooting acumen that could provide the 76ers with the depth they need. His journey back to the NBA marks an exciting chapter for the player who has been waiting for this second chance, and fans are eager to see how he will integrate into the team’s dynamics.
As Yabusele prepares to don the Philadelphia jersey, all eyes will be on this resilient forward to see if he can translate his international success to the NBA stage and become a key player for the 76ers in the upcoming season.