The Philadelphia 76ers have recently agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal with forward Guerschon Yabusele, following his notable contribution to France’s silver medal win at the Olympics. Yabusele, a strong and powerful 6-foot-8, 260-pound power forward, was originally a first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics in 2016. During the Olympics, he showcased his skills by scoring 22, 17, and 20 points against Canada, Germany, and the United States, respectively. Moreover, he demonstrated exceptional shooting accuracy, making 66.7% of his field goals across these games.
Yabusele’s Professional Journey
Despite his promising performance at the Olympics, Yabusele had played sparingly for the Boston Celtics before being waived in 2019. After a brief stint in China, he joined ASVEL in France and later signed with Real Madrid in 2021. Yabusele spent the last three years with Real Madrid, helping them secure the EuroLeague title in 2023 and consistently reaching the final four. In the most recent season, he averaged 9.6 points and shot 43% from the 3-point range, showcasing his versatility and scoring ability.
Opportunity with the Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers’ signing of Yabusele comes at a crucial time, as the team looks to solidify its roster following significant offseason moves. With the acquisition of Paul George and the retention of key players like Kelly Oubre and Kyle Lowry, the 76ers are aiming to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season. Yabusele’s addition provides depth at the power forward position, offering Coach Nick Nurse flexibility in his rotation. Despite being behind Caleb Martin in the starting lineup, Yabusele’s experience and skill set make him a valuable asset off the bench.
The signing of Guerschon Yabusele by the Philadelphia 76ers represents a strategic move to enhance their frontcourt depth and add scoring options to their roster. Yabusele’s impressive performance at the Olympics and his consistent contributions in European basketball leagues signal that he is ready to make an impact in the NBA. As he embarks on this new chapter with the 76ers, all eyes will be on Yabusele to see how he integrates into the team and contributes to their pursuit of a championship.