Despite not appearing in an NBA game in over five years, 28-year-old forward Guerschon Yabusele took the basketball world by storm during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Representing France, Yabusele helped his home country take home a silver medal after their loss to Team USA in the Finals. During the Olympics, he averaged 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1 assist per game. This includes a 20-point performance against Team USA. Additionally, he shot 51.9% from the field throughout the Olympics.
Less than 24 hours after losing to Team USA, Yabusele took to X to say he is “ready” for a second chance. Though he did not directly say it, it is fair to assume he is talking about a second chance in the NBA.
Been waiting for a 2nd chance.. I’m ready 😤🧸
— Guerschon Yabusele (@yabusele28) August 11, 2024
Additionally, NBA veteran Evan Fournier, who was teammates with Yabusele during the Olympics, endorsed an NBA return for him.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Yabusele has one year remaining on his contract with Real Madrid. However, his contract does include a $2.5 million NBA buyout.
League sources tell @TheSteinLine that France star Guerschon Yabusele has one season left on his Real Madrid contract — with an NBA buyout of $2.5 million.
The buyout was just $1 million had Yabusele been pursued by an NBA team before July 15.
More NBA: https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq pic.twitter.com/LNu25T4MrQ
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 11, 2024
The Boston Celtics drafted Yabusele with the No. 16 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. However, the “Dancing Bear” did not appear in an NBA game for Boston until the 2017-18 season. Yabusele spent just two seasons with the Celtics, playing in 74 total games. In that time, he averaged 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Boston waived Yabusele after the 2018-19 season. Since then, he has only played basketball overseas.
2024 Olympics Breakout Star “Ready” for NBA Return
Guerschon Yabusele May Be Eying a Celtics Return
In France’s victory against Germany in the Olympics, Yabusele scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field. Additionally, he recorded seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal. After the game, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe posted on X that he had an interaction with Yabusele. According to Washburn, Yabusele said he should “tell [the Celtics] to bring me back.”
Just had a moment with Guerschon Yabusele, who recognized me and said smiling, “You gotta tell (the #Celtics) to bring me back.” Yabu was a former BOS first-round pick. Plays now for Real Madrid.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) August 8, 2024
It is likely that Yabusele was making a joke after recognizing Washburn. However, it is still something to keep an eye on.
The Celtics currently still have a roster spot open just a couple of months before the 2024-25 season. However, GM Brad Stevens recently said “it’s unlikely” the team will use the final roster spot by the end of the offseason.
“We’re just going to monitor the health of our team and see how everybody’s doing, and if there’s any issues that arise between now and September that we need to really address, then we might use it,” Stevens said. “But right now I’d say it’s unlikely. We’re still looking to sign a couple of Exhibit 10s that their most likely path will be to play in Maine. But we’ll see.”
