‘Madrid is My Home’ – Yabusele Shuts Down NBA Speculation, Commits to Real

Content for everyone

Guerschon Yabusele discussed his NBA return, Real Madrid loyalty, and French teammates. He also confirmed that his aim is another NBA contract with the Sixers.

Guerschon Yabusele turned heads at the 2024 Paris Olympics with the French national team, delivering a strong performance that ultimately led to his return to the NBA.

After a solid stint with Real Madrid, where he became a key figure in their EuroLeague pursuits, Yabusele signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a one-year deal — and in doing so, left the Spanish giants scrambling to fill the gap he left behind.

Reflecting on his current season in Philadelphia, Yabusele shared his satisfaction with how things have gone for him personally:

“Very well! The team is a little lower than I expected at the start of the year, but personally, I feel really good and I’m very happy to be back here, playing my game, getting plenty of minutes and showing what I can do. So far, it’s been very good,” the Frenchman told SDNA’s Tolis Kotzias at the Madison Square Garden, shortly after the Sixers’ loss to the New York Knicks.

The Sixers have been battling injuries throughout the season, including extended absences for stars like Joel Embiid and Paul George — and that’s been a challenge, even for a deep roster.

“Yeah, yeah, a lot of injuries,” Yabusele confirmed.

“It’s not necessary to name players, but we’ve had a lot of injuries and we’re still trying to compete every night, but it’s tough. We need to have heart and be fighters.”

When asked to compare the NBA and EuroLeague, Yabusele didn’t hesitate: “NBA, for sure.”

So, does that mean a return to Europe is off the table for next season?

“Next year? That’s not my plan. My plan is to try to get another contract in the NBA. I don’t want to lie. But I do keep an eye on the EuroLeague for sure, just to see how it’s going, what the level is like. Like when you see a team like Paris — how they’re playing and what they’re capable of doing — so far, they’ve been fantastic, fighting every night.”

Despite his NBA focus, Yabusele still keeps tabs on Europe — and when asked who he believes will lift this season’s EuroLeague trophy, his answer was clear: “Real will win it, for sure.”

Beyond his own journey, Yabusele had plenty of love to share for his fellow Frenchmen still competing in the EuroLeague. First up, Panathinaikos’ Mathias Lessort, who has been recovering from a difficult injury.

“He’s my guy. I hope he gets back quickly. He had a hard and scary injury, and I’m happy he’s slowly getting back to his standards. I wish him all the best. He’s an amazing guy on and off the court.”

So is Lessort a big-time player in his eyes?

“He’s a huge player, especially for his team. Panathinaikos needs him, and with him, they’ll continue to be a problem.”

Yabusele also spoke about Evan Fournier, who has bounced back impressively after a tough time in New York:

“Evan is having a fantastic season, he’s competitive, and everyone knew he was ready to come back and play the way he’s playing now. I’m happy for him, after the tough year he had in New York, and seeing him do what he does best is a pleasure to watch.”