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Following a remarkable performance at the Olympics and a season spent with the Sixers, Guerschon Yabusele is poised to take on a leadership role with the French national team during Eurobasket. He aspires to have a significant impact in New York as well.
In an interview with the Israeli media outlet “One,” after facing defeat against Deni Avdija and his team, the French forward shared his thoughts on his NBA prospects.
He stated, “The Knicks are an incredible organization. I assure Knicks fans that my playing style aligns perfectly with the team. I bring energy, sometimes my emotions run high, along with determination and aggression. I promise to contribute to the team’s effort in securing as many wins as possible. This year’s squad shows great potential and has their sights set on reaching the playoffs. I am certain I can assist in that mission.”
Yabusele explained his return to the NBA and discussed the differences he has noticed during his time in Philadelphia compared to his earlier stint in Boston: “When I was in Boston, I was quite young and lacked the confidence I possess now. I didn’t have the same opportunities or responsibilities back then. Since then, I’ve played in China and returned to Europe, where I competed with a prestigious team like Real Madrid, which provided immense pressure and a high level of competition. That experience has given me the confidence I needed to make a successful return to the NBA.”
While he acknowledged that the level of competition in the EuroLeague is not too distant from that of the NBA, he emphasized the challenges of comparing the two leagues: “The styles of play are entirely different; people tend to draw comparisons, but it isn’t straightforward. Each league exists in its own realm. The EuroLeague continues to improve year after year, and the gap is closing. There’s an increasing amount of talent and skill in the league. Of course, I still follow it and miss it. I can’t claim that I wish to return because I’ve always dreamed of playing in the NBA, but I truly enjoyed my time in the EuroLeague—it’s a fantastic league.”
Yabusele also spoke about the notorious altercation that occurred in Madrid during the playoff series against Partizan, expressing his regret about the incident: “I prefer not to dwell on it. Regardless of what I say, people will always have opinions. Such moments can arise in the heat of competition. I’ve apologized for those events, and while they shouldn’t have transpired on the basketball court, they did occur, and I can’t change that. I can only commit to ensuring it doesn’t happen again. I do regret that it happened.”
