Vincent Collet on the Cavaliers’ bench, but Cleveland loses (again) to the Knicks in the Christmas Game
Dec 25, 2025
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve
« These rumors give me strength to work harder »: Guerschon Yabusele clear-eyed about his Knicks situation
NBA - Guerschon Yabusele is going through a difficult period with the New York Knicks. The French national team captain is racking up DNPs, even falling behind rookie French player Mohamed Diawara in the rotation, but maintains a clear-eyed and fighting approach in the face of trade rumors.
Dec 21, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Guerschon Yabusele (6’7″, 30 years old) didn’t leave the bench during the Christmas Game narrowly won by the New York Knicks against the Cleveland Cavaliers (126-124). An image that has become familiar in recent weeks for the French captain, now out of the New York rotation and who hasn’t played in the last three games. A situation made even more striking by the fact that French rookie Mohamed Diawara (6’8″, 20 years old) has moved ahead of him in the hierarchy.
Despite this difficult context, the French forward displays assumed serenity, as he confided to L’Équipe through reporter Amaury Perdriau, special correspondent in New York.
An unprecedented and mentally challenging situation
For the first time since his return to the NBA in 2024, Guerschon Yabusele finds himself in a prolonged waiting position. At just 30 years old, the former Real Madrid player frankly acknowledges the mental difficulty of being sidelined, while trying to maintain a positive mindset. « It’s sometimes very difficult, » he admits, without ever publicly questioning his coach’s choices.
Still officially a Knicks player, the former Philadelphia forward hopes his trajectory can continue in New York. But he also accepts the uncertainty linked to his tradable status, aware that his future could be played out elsewhere.
Guerschon Yabusele, deprived of playing time with the New York Knicks: « If I have to go to another team, I need to be ready »
➡️ https://t.co/z8bMO2HHtP pic.twitter.com/lnO78NvocB— L’Équipe (@lequipe) December 25, 2025
Hard work as the only response to DNPs
Deprived of playing time, Yabusele knows the danger that prolonged inactivity represents for a basketball player. The loss of rhythm and feel is a reality he fights daily in practice. « When you don’t play, you feel like you’re losing your basketball, » he explains, emphasizing the need to double down on efforts to stay ready for when an opportunity presents itself. « If I have to go to another team, I need to be ready. »
Position(s): Power Forward
Height: 201 cm
Age: 30 years (12/17/1995)
Nationality:
2025-2026 Stats / NBA
PTS
3
#396
REB
2.2
#326
AST
0.4
#426
Trade rumors as motivation
Early in the season, questions emerged about his physical condition, a debate that the main person concerned dismisses with detachment. « I still don’t understand this debate about my physique, it made me smile. » Feeling fully in possession of his abilities, Guerschon Yabusele now transforms rumors into a source of motivation. « These rumors give me strength to work harder, » he assures, convinced that his situation will eventually resolve itself.
Whether he regains a spot in the Knicks rotation or must seize a new opportunity elsewhere, the French national team captain moves forward with one certainty: he will be ready when the time comes.
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.
Commentaires