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One year later, Guerschon Yabusele’s dunk still resonates: « I need to move on, but it was a unique feeling »

FRENCH NATIONAL TEAM - French team leader Guerschon Yabusele rejoins Les Bleus to prepare for Eurobasket after a successful season in Philadelphia, marking his NBA return. One year after memorable Olympic Games, the former Real Madrid player reflects on how perceptions of him changed and the respect earned through an action still fresh in everyone's mind
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One year later, Guerschon Yabusele’s dunk still resonates: « I need to move on, but it was a unique feeling »
Photo Credit : FIBA

New captain of Les Bleus for Eurobasket, Guerschon Yabusele (6’8″, 29 years old) returns to the French national team after a highly successful season marking his NBA comeback. The « Dancing Bear » had caught franchises’ attention last summer at the Olympics, thanks to a heroic campaign that reached the finals, but especially due to one legendary play.

Having returned from the United States in 2019 « without any NBA opportunities, » Guerschon Yabusele acknowledges that his performances last summer changed everything: « The Olympics changed the course of my career, 100%. I need to move on, but it was a unique feeling. With everything that followed, including the NBA return, the year has been crazy. Saying I don’t think about it would be lying, but I must move forward, » he expresses with a telling smile about this lifelong memory.

« Players’ perception of me has changed »

While his off-court fame peaked even in the United States, Guerschon Yabusele also noticed a shift in how his peers viewed him. « Players’ perception of me has changed, they recognize my true value. During the year, players would congratulate me mid-game or right after matches for that play. I even heard Kevin Durant say I deserved my NBA spot, that I was where I belonged. That’s definitely motivating. »

Still trying to move forward, Guerschon Yabusele hasn’t discussed the play with his « victim. » « I didn’t really talk with LeBron when we played the Lakers, because it happened during a period when we needed to focus on winning, » he recalls. But he reassures: « There’s definitely respect there. He’s a player… with such a career (he sighs)… I don’t need to list everything he’s done (smiles). When I play against him, I don’t trash talk. I play my game and enjoy my NBA return, while fighting to stay there. » His humility paid off: Guerschon Yabusele signed a new NBA contract with the New York Knicks.

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Image Arthur Puybertier
Arthur Puybertier
Arthur Puybertier is the rookie journalist at BeBasket. He closely follows basketball news, from Nationale 1 all the way to the NCAA, NBA, and WNBA! He analyzes games and transfers with a solid sports culture and an informed perspective on the issues in the sport. This season, he will also cover the EuroLeague and Betclic ELITE from the Adidas Arena and the Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez, to bring you the latest news up close.
One year later, Guerschon Yabusele’s dunk still resonates: « I need to move on, but it was a unique feeling »