Targeted by defenses and « sometimes too team-oriented », Guerschon Yabusele needs to adjust

In France’s loss to Israel (82-69), Guerschon Yabusele (6’8″, 29 years old) didn’t have the expected impact. Targeted by the defense, bothered by double teams and lacking aggressiveness, the French captain showed his frustration at the end of the game. The day after this defeat, he took responsibility and detailed the adjustments he plans to make to become again the offensive and emotional leader France needs.

« It was my fault first »

First of all, Yabusele didn’t shy away from his responsibilities. « I talked to the guys telling them it was my fault first, my attitudes weren’t necessarily the right ones on the court. I showed a lot of frustration. » An immediate self-assessment from the French captain, aware he needs to be exemplary in his attitude.

Defenses are tightening on him

Since the start of EuroBasket, the power forward has been particularly watched by defenses. « As soon as I get the ball in the low post, several guys come at me, » he notes. Thus, the new New York Knicks player has gotten into the habit of kicking the ball out to the opposite side, to an open player, or to a player cutting to the basket. But sometimes, shouldn’t he force his own shots? « Sometimes he’s a bit too team-oriented, too focused on others, » says his coach Frédéric Fauthoux, who had planned a meeting with him between noon and two. Very self-aware, the former Real Madrid player acknowledges it.

« I’m not a selfish person. When I see the double teams, when defenders are already down low, I tell myself that if I make the pass, and we make a second pass, there will necessarily be an opening somewhere. We’ve been able to show that on several occasions. So we try to have some movement around. But it’s true that I need to maintain my aggressiveness, not just do post-ups necessarily, but also be aggressive, push the ball. In a game like yesterday (Sunday), it’s more obvious and I tell myself I need to find a way. I need to find the solution to help the team. »

Frédéric Fauthoux indeed emphasized his importance: « If we want to go far, we need Guerschon at his best level… We can find solutions to put him in the best conditions. »

More variety in his game

Yabusele doesn’t want to limit himself to post-up play. « I don’t necessarily plan to force things, but not to only have post-ups. I think I can do several things on the court… In the pick-and-pop, driving game, things like that. »

He knows that regaining his offensive aggressiveness will give rhythm back to the whole team. Moreover, making defenses pay could lead them to change their organization. « If we score several times, defenses will stop double-teaming. » QED.

Yabusele’s spidey senses needs no look 👀#EuroBasket x @FRABasketball pic.twitter.com/rWF0wvs5CI

— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 31, 2025

A captain’s role to fulfill

While acknowledging excess nervousness at the end of France – Israel, he doesn’t forget his mission: to unite. « It’s important that we stay united… We’re not going to decide if we deserve to be here or not based on one game. We made a small mistake, but we’ll learn from it and become better. »

His goal is clear: show a different face against Poland, setting the tone from the first minutes.

Regaining aggressiveness to restart Les Bleus

France will need an impactful and liberated Yabusele to hope to beat Poland and stay in the race for first place in Group D. Between offensive variations, outside shooting and exemplary attitude, the captain knows which levers to pull to guide his teammates toward an immediate bounce-back.

In Katowice,