The basketball world was left in awe as Guerschon Yabusele, a 28-year-old forward who hadn’t played in an NBA game for over five years, made a triumphant return during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Representing France, Yabusele played a crucial role in helping his home country secure a silver medal, despite falling to Team USA in the Finals. His standout performance saw him average 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1 assist per game, including a stellar 20-point outing against the Americans. Moreover, he maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 51.9% throughout the tournament.
Following his stellar Olympic showcase, talks began swirling about a potential NBA comeback for Yabusele. In a statement less than a day after the heartbreaking loss to Team USA, Yabusele expressed his readiness for a second chance, hinting at a possible return to the NBA, the stage where he gained initial recognition. NBA veteran Evan Fournier, who shared the court with Yabusele during the Olympics, voiced his support for a return to the league by his former teammate.
According to renowned NBA insider Marc Stein, Yabusele still has one year left on his contract with Real Madrid, albeit with a clause that allows him to make an NBA comeback for a $2.5 million buyout. The Boston Celtics had picked Yabusele with the 16th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, but his stint in the NBA was short-lived. Despite being affectionally nicknamed the “Dancing Bear,” Yabusele only managed to make appearances in 74 games over two seasons with the Celtics, posting modest averages of 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game before getting waived following the 2018-19 season.
During France’s emphatic victory over Germany in the Olympics, Yabusele demonstrated his skillset once more, dropping 17 points on an efficient 7-for-11 shooting performance. He also notched seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal in a well-rounded display. After the game, renowned Boston Globe journalist Gary Washburn revealed a conversation he had with Yabusele, where the French forward expressed his desire to return to the Celtics lineup, urging Washburn to “tell [the Celtics] to bring me back.”
The stage is set for a potential NBA comeback for Guerschon Yabusele, who has proven his worth on the international stage and now seeks to reignite his career in the league where it all began. Will the “Dancing Bear” find his way back to the NBA and possibly reunite with the Boston Celtics? Only time will tell. Stay tuned as this exciting chapter unfolds in the basketball world.
