The Second Star of France: Can Olympic Second-Teamer Guerschon Yabusele Make an NBA Comeback?

In the 2024 Olympic men’s basketball final, France fell short against the United States, losing 87-98. Despite the loss, the French team delivered some surprises, particularly from Guerschon Yabusele. While Victor Wembanyama stole the spotlight with 26 points, Yabusele's performance likely left a lasting impression on fans. In 31 minutes, Yabusele recorded 20 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals, shooting 6-of-13 from the field, 1-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line, making him France's second-highest scorer of the game.

Yabusele's breakout moment came in the second quarter, where he provided one of the tournament's most memorable highlights. On a drive to the basket, Yabusele leaped and threw down a posterizing dunk over LeBron James, who was attempting to draw a charge. Reflecting on the moment, Yabusele said, “I had no choice. When I jumped and saw him, I told myself, it’s either I finish this dunk, or he blocks me. I’m definitely making a poster out of that picture for my home.”

Yabusele’s impressive play wasn't limited to the final. In the semifinal against Germany, he tallied 17 points and 7 rebounds in 26 minutes. In the quarterfinal against a Canada squad filled with NBA talent, Yabusele scored 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in just 22 minutes. As one of the key players in France’s surprising run through the knockout stages, Yabusele thrived after head coach Vincent Collet benched Rudy Gobert and shifted to a small-ball lineup featuring Yabusele as the starting power forward.

Throughout the Olympics, Yabusele averaged 14.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 23.3 minutes per game, shooting 51.9% from the field, 28.6% from three, and 81.5% from the free-throw line. He was one of only two French players to average double figures in scoring, with the other being Wembanyama, who averaged 15.8 points. Yabusele’s efforts earned him a spot on the All-Olympic Second Team, alongside stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bogdan Bogdanović, Franz Wagner, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The First Team featured LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, and Dennis Schröder.

Notably, Yabusele was the only player on the All-Olympic Teams not currently playing in the NBA.

A Rollercoaster NBA Journey

Yabusele’s path to Olympic glory and potential NBA resurgence has been anything but straightforward. He was drafted 16th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2016, a promising start for the young Frenchman. However, Yabusele didn’t immediately make the jump to the NBA, instead spending a year in China with the Shanghai Sharks before joining the Celtics for the 2017-18 season.

Yabusele's NBA career, however, was short-lived. Over two seasons with the Celtics, he played in just 74 games, averaging 6.6 minutes per game and posting 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds. His time in Boston was plagued by inconsistent play and limited opportunities, and he was ultimately waived by the Celtics in 2019. Yabusele returned to China, where he played one season with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, before making his way back to Europe in 2020.

Yabusele first signed with ASVEL in France, where he spent two seasons before moving to Real Madrid in the Spanish ACB league, one of Europe’s premier basketball competitions. In the 2023-24 season, Yabusele appeared in 27 games for Real Madrid, starting 13 and averaging 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. He shot an impressive 65% from two-point range and 46% from beyond the arc, proving that he had developed into a reliable and efficient scorer.

The Case for an NBA Return

Following his strong Olympic performance, Yabusele has drawn attention and sparked discussions about a possible return to the NBA. On social media, Yabusele expressed his desire to return, writing, “Always waiting for that second chance… I’m ready.” The post caught the attention of many, including Los Angeles Clippers reporter Farbod Esnaashari, who replied, “Sign him, Clippers.”

Standing at 6'8" with a 7'2" wingspan, Yabusele has the size and strength to play as a power forward in today’s NBA. When he was first drafted, the main concerns were that he was undersized to play inside and lacked the shooting consistency to be a threat on the perimeter. In his first NBA stint, Yabusele struggled to find his niche; he wasn’t quick enough to guard wings or big enough to handle centers, and his outside shot was unreliable.

However, after several years of playing in Europe and competing on the international stage, Yabusele has honed his skills and adapted his game. His shooting has improved significantly, particularly from three-point range, where he has shown the ability to stretch the floor as a “stretch four.” Defensively, Yabusele has also improved, becoming more versatile and disciplined.

Fitting Into Today’s NBA

Yabusele's game appears better suited for today’s NBA than it was during his first stint with the Celtics. The league has increasingly embraced small-ball lineups, emphasizing versatility, shooting, and switchable defenders—all areas where Yabusele has made strides.

Offensively, Yabusele’s ability to score inside and out, combined with his willingness to attack mismatches, makes him a valuable asset in small-ball lineups. Defensively, his strength and improved footwork allow him to guard multiple positions, from bigger wings to smaller centers, making him a viable option in switch-heavy defensive schemes.

One NBA team reportedly interested in Yabusele is the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose new head coach, Kenny Atkinson, served as an assistant with the French national team during the Olympics. Atkinson's familiarity with Yabusele’s game could be a factor in the Cavaliers’ potential pursuit. However, signing Yabusele might not be straightforward.

The Financial Hurdle

One major obstacle to Yabusele's NBA return is his buyout clause with Real Madrid, which reportedly stands at $2.5 million. NBA teams are only allowed to contribute $850,000 towards a player’s buyout, meaning Yabusele would have to cover the remaining amount out of his own pocket. Given that an NBA minimum salary is just over $2 million, Yabusele would likely end up taking home very little after taxes and the buyout payment.

Given the financial implications, it’s possible Yabusele might wait until his contract with Real Madrid expires before attempting a return to the NBA. This would allow him to avoid the buyout fee and enter the league as a free agent, potentially securing a more lucrative deal.

Cautionary Tale or New Opportunity?

Yabusele’s case serves as a reminder of the difficulty many international players face when transitioning to the NBA. For every international star like Luka Dončić or Nikola Jokić, there are countless others who struggle to find their footing in the league. The differences in style, pace, and physicality between FIBA and NBA play can be stark, and success in one doesn’t always translate to the other.

However, Yabusele’s development over the past few years, particularly his performances in high-stakes international tournaments like the Olympics, suggests that he might be ready for a second chance in the NBA. If he can bring the same intensity, shooting, and defensive versatility to an NBA team that he has shown in Europe and with the French national team, there’s reason to believe he could carve out a role in the league.

But whether Yabusele will get that chance remains to be seen. The financial complications of his buyout, combined with the competitive nature of NBA rosters, mean that any NBA team interested in Yabusele will need to be both patient and strategic in their approach. For now, Yabusele will likely continue to build his case in Europe, waiting for the right opportunity to once again prove himself on basketball’s biggest stage.