Guerschon Yabusele Olympic Star Signs the Philadelphia 76ers just expanded their roster by adding forward Guerschon Yabusele to a one-year deal for $2.1 million. This transfer comes after Yabusele’s outstanding performance at the Olympics, when he helped lead France to a silver medal. Yabusele, who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 260 pounds, was selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft. However, his path to the NBA has been unusual, with stops in China, France, and Spain before returning to the United States.
Guerschon Yabusele Olympic Breakout Boosts 76ers Roster Potential
Yabusele’s breakthrough moment came in the Tokyo Olympics when he had a string of strong performances, notably against Canada, Germany, and the US. In these games, he averaged 19.6 points and shot an astounding 66.7% from the field. His outstanding performance not only helped France reach the gold medal game but also cemented his image as a player capable of playing at the greatest level.
The 76ers, who have made numerous important offseason changes, including acquiring Paul George to a four-year max deal and keeping key players like Kelly Oubre and Kyle Lowry, view Yabusele as an asset to their club. With scant depth at power forward, Yabusele has a great potential to win considerable playing time under head coach Nick Nurse. While Caleb Martin is likely to start at power forward, Yabusele’s flexibility and recent performance indicate that he might play a significant part in the team’s rotation.
Yabusele’s career trajectory has been characterized by perseverance and adaptability. After playing infrequently with the Celtics for two seasons, he was dismissed in the summer of 2019. He then spent a season in China before joining ASVEL in France, which is owned by NBA icon Tony Parker. His accomplishments in France drew the attention of Real Madrid, one of Europe’s finest basketball teams, where he played three successful seasons.
During his stint with Real Madrid, Yabusele helped the squad win the EuroLeague championship in 2023 and routinely make the final four. In his last season with Madrid, he averaged 9.6 points per game and shot 43% from three, demonstrating his ability to contribute both inside and beyond the rim.
Yabusele’s signing with the 76ers is seen as a strategic move, giving the organization a physically intimidating large who can spread the floor and provide foreign expertise to the squad. As the 76ers look to compete for an NBA title, Yabusele’s role might be critical in providing depth and variety, especially in a league where the power forward position is evolving.
Guerschon Yabusele’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers marks not just his comeback to the NBA, but also a huge step forward in his career. Yabusele’s impressive track record in international contests and professional leagues throughout the world positions him to make an impact in the next NBA season. The 76ers, who have already made headlines with their offseason additions, may consider Yabusele as the missing piece in their title bid.
