Guerschon Yabusele at EuroBasket, to complete his « best year »

For almost a year now, Guerschon Yabusele (6’8″, 29) has been living « in a little dream, » he confided to Mary Patrux in an interview for BeIn Sports. The French power forward returned to the NBA with Philadelphia, after the Olympic summer with Team France and « a nice dunk » on LeBron James that left its mark. Although his season with the Sixers ended « very early, without playoffs, » Guerschon Yabusele is still training.

L’INTÉGRALE #nbaextra

Entretien avec GUERSCHON YABUSELE : Son retour en NBA, l’Euro avec les B… https://t.co/f11gPPcVox via @YouTube

— Mary Patrux (@MaryPatrux) June 12, 2025

Currently in Miami, the Dancing Bear wants to « be ready for this summer » to compete in EuroBasket with Team France. « I’m doing it for myself, » he explains, « the season was long but it’s the first time I’m on vacation so early. I want to prepare my body for this summer, for the European Championships, » he states. Known for his discipline and work ethic, Guerschon Yabusele imposes on himself « weight training for an hour every morning, then I train for an hour with Ronnie Taylor, a basketball coach, » who was primarily known in France as a player. Indeed, Taylor made several stops in France, starting with Brest in 2007, then Boulazac in 2009; followed by stints at Le Portel, Rouen, Pau, Limoges and again Le Portel until 2013; and finally a last stint at Orchies in 2015-2016.

As Frédéric Fauthoux’s roster announcement approaches (end of June), Yabusele is taking the Euro very seriously. « We all know it’s one of the toughest championships, it will be physical and intense. I want to have all the cards in my hand to give myself the best chance to perform. » After an emotionally rich summer last year, the Olympic silver medalist still says he’s « excited to join Team France for the Euro. Some teams have really improved, and the overall level of competition will be really high. It won’t be easy, but we’ll be ready, there’s potential to do something, » he says with a smile.

« I mainly wanted to enjoy myself and have fun on the court »

Between the Olympics window and the Euro, Yabusele experienced a very positive return to the NBA, by his own assessment. « I’m quite happy with my season. I didn’t put pressure on myself, I wanted to come back and enjoy it to the max. Last time, it was cut short without me seeing it coming; after 5 years I mainly wanted to enjoy myself and have fun on the court. » The Sixers’ season was complicated by successive injuries to Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, but in this context, Yabusele was able to take on an important role, sometimes different from what we knew of him. « The fact that we didn’t have a center allowed me to play the 5, I was able to adapt and get more minutes. In this unfortunate situation, it gave me a chance with playing time. I used the context to my advantage. It’s a different context for me at the 5 position but everyone in Philadelphia told me they were happy with what I was giving every day for the franchise, » he rejoices.

While his NBA return is more than successful, Guerschon Yabusele’s contract expires this summer. But this doesn’t worry him, quite the contrary: « There’s an adrenaline rush in entering free agency for the first time. It’s like an auction game. It’s pretty cool to know that several teams are fighting for you. I’m excited, I can’t stop thinking about it (smiles), » he admits eagerly. Philadelphia « will have the advantage » by his own admission, as the franchise can make him an offer a few days before other teams, but the power forward will be coveted.

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🎙️ Guerschon Yabusele se livre sur la free agency !
« C’est quelque chose de vraiment excitant ! » pic.twitter.com/4QUC2Z03NT

— NBAextra (@NBAextra) June 12, 2025

« I want to find the ideal middle ground to have minutes while playing for something »

Beyond signing with the highest bidder, Guerschon already has his criteria for a potential signing. « I enjoyed myself this year. We had a winning streak during which I played a lot, attacked, defended, took 3-pointers: I don’t want that to change. Then, I want to look at the team. I don’t want to go to a team where I’d have 35 minutes but where we’d just keep losing: that’s not fun. I want to find the ideal middle ground to have minutes while playing for something, maybe the title. Money obviously comes into play: I’m a family man and I feel like I’ve taken gambles throughout my career. Today, I’d like to be stable and have financial security. We’ll try to find the right solution, » he assures.

With his accomplishments and potential choices this summer, Guerschon Yabusele can be comforted in one thing. After an Olympic silver medal, his NBA signing, and becoming a father, « 2024-2025 is perhaps my best year, » he suggests, serene.