Guerschon Yabusele Bio
Guerschon Yabusele is a French professional basketball player who plays for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A power forward listed at 6 feet 7 inches tall and 120 kilograms, he has built a career that spans France, China, Spain, and the United States. Yabusele represents the French national team in international competition and is a two-time Olympic silver medalist. Over the course of his career, he has also captured a EuroLeague championship and was selected 16th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Born and raised in France to parents who emigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yabusele developed into one of the top international prospects of his draft class. He is known to NBA fans from his early stint with the Boston Celtics, where he earned the nickname “Dancing Bear,” and to European fans from his successful run with Real Madrid. In 2025, he signed a two-year contract to return to the NBA with the New York Knicks.
Early Life and Background
Guerschon Yabusele was born on December 17, 1995, in Dreux, a small city in northern France. His parents had emigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo before settling in the region, giving him a multicultural upbringing that blended his Congolese heritage with life in provincial France. Growing up, Yabusele was an active child, and he initially trained as a boxer in his youth, an experience that helped him develop strength, footwork, and discipline.
He discovered basketball relatively late compared to many professional players, but his athletic foundation allowed him to progress quickly. In 2012, he joined the youth sections of Chorale Roanne Basket, one of France’s well-known development clubs. He competed with the club’s under-21 team, where his combination of size, mobility, and physicality began to attract attention from scouts. By the time he was ready to turn professional, Yabusele had transformed from a boxer into a promising basketball forward.
Path to Professional Basketball
Yabusele’s journey to the top level of European and international basketball began in the French lower divisions. He joined Chorale Roanne in the LNB Pro B in 2013 and appeared in eight games during his first season, averaging 1.5 points per game. The following year, his role expanded, and he averaged six points, four rebounds, and 1.7 assists, showing the kind of well-rounded play that had intrigued coaches at the club.
In the summer of 2015, Yabusele made the decision to move up to the top French league, signing with Rouen Métropole Basket of the LNB Pro A, with the explicit goal of boosting his NBA Draft stock. His strong play with Rouen caught the attention of international scouts, and he was considered one of the best international prospects for the 2016 NBA Draft. He officially entered the draft as one of thirteen international underclassmen, surprising many by being selected 16th overall by the Boston Celtics. He then joined the Celtics for the 2016 NBA Summer League before eventually joining the team on a full contract.
Guerschon Yabusele Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Yabusele’s early professional years were spent in France, where he used every level of competition as a stepping stone. At Chorale Roanne, he progressed from a developmental player into a regular contributor in the LNB Pro B, gaining the experience needed to test himself against older opponents. His efficiency, rebounding, and energy off the bench helped him stand out as a young forward with significant upside.
His transfer to Rouen Métropole Basket in 2015 was a calculated step toward the NBA. Competing in the LNB Pro A against some of the best professionals in France, Yabusele showed he could hold his own at a higher level, and he played his way into the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft. Being selected 16th overall by the Boston Celtics validated the work he had put in through those two formative seasons in French basketball.
Boston Celtics and CBA Years (2016–2020)
Before joining the Celtics for the 2017–18 NBA season, Yabusele spent a year in the Chinese Basketball Association, signing with the Shanghai Sharks in July 2016. In 43 games with the Sharks, he averaged 20.9 points and 9.4 rebounds, earning CBA All-Star recognition for his production. His strong performance in China reinforced his reputation as a physically dominant forward with scoring touch around the basket.
Yabusele signed with the Boston Celtics in July 2017 and made his NBA debut on October 20, 2017, finishing with three points and one rebound in a win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Although his playing time was limited, he became a fan favorite and earned the nickname “Dancing Bear” for his energy on the bench and on the court. During the 2017–18 season, he set several of his career highs, including sixteen points against the Brooklyn Nets, six rebounds against the Chicago Bulls, and five assists against the Washington Wizards. He split time with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League and was waived by the Celtics in July 2019. He later returned to the CBA with the Nanjing Monkey Kings for the 2019–20 season, continuing to refine his game overseas.
LDLC ASVEL and Real Madrid (2020–2024)
In February 2020, Yabusele signed with LDLC ASVEL of the French LNB Pro A, joining one of the most ambitious clubs in French basketball. He re-signed with the team in June of that year, helping the club compete at a high level in domestic play. His time at ASVEL allowed him to settle back into European basketball and prepare for the next stage of his career in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.
In July 2021, Yabusele made the move to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid of the Liga ACB and the EuroLeague, signing a one-year contract. In January 2022, he signed a three-year extension that kept him at the club through the end of the 2024–25 season. His most significant achievement with Real Madrid came in 2023, when he won a EuroLeague title, cementing his status as a proven winner at the highest level of European basketball. He left Real Madrid in August 2024.
Philadelphia 76ers (2024–2025)
Following an impressive performance for France at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Yabusele returned to the NBA in August 2024, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. He quickly made an impact, scoring a career-high twenty points with eight rebounds in a 107–105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on November 10, 2024. His energy, rebounding, and finishing around the rim gave the 76ers a physical presence in the frontcourt.
New York Knicks (2025–Present)
On July 7, 2025, Yabusele signed a two-year, $11.7 million contract with the New York Knicks, marking his return to New York basketball after years of international experience. The move brought him to one of the league’s most storied franchises, where he was expected to contribute physicality, scoring, and veteran poise. His arrival gave the Knicks a forward with championship experience from his Real Madrid days and Olympic pedigree from his time with France.
Driving Style and Strengths
Yabusele’s game is built around his rare combination of size, mobility, and physicality. At 6 feet 7 inches and 120 kilograms, he uses his strength to finish through contact in the paint, while his mobility allows him to switch defensively and run the floor in transition. He is an effective rebounder on both ends of the floor and has continued to develop his perimeter shooting, making him a versatile option at the power forward position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Yabusele’s most memorable international moment came during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he played a starring role for France. He scored twenty-two points with five rebounds in a quarter-final win over Canada, then followed it up with seventeen points and seven rebounds in a semi-final victory over Germany. In the gold medal game against the United States, he scored twenty points, including a baseline dunk over LeBron James, and was named to the tournament’s All-Second Team. He is also a EuroLeague champion from 2023 and a two-time Olympic silver medalist from 2020 and 2024.
Guerschon Yabusele International Career
Yabusele has been a key contributor to the French national team across multiple competitions. He played for France’s under-18 team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and later represented his country at the 2014 and 2015 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championships.
Senior Team Highlights
With Les Bleus, Yabusele has competed in major international events including the 2020 Olympics, where he won a silver medal, and EuroBasket 2022, where France again took silver. He also played at the 2023 FIBA World Cup before his standout run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished with a second consecutive Olympic silver medal. At EuroBasket 2025, he led France with a career-high thirty-six points in an 83–76 win over Poland in the group phase, continuing his role as one of the team’s primary scoring options.
Guerschon Yabusele Family
Family Background and Lineage
Guerschon Yabusele was born to parents who emigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo before settling in Dreux, France. His Congolese roots have played an important role in shaping his identity and have given him a strong connection to the African diaspora in France.
Personal Life
Yabusele’s early life was marked by his training as a boxer, an experience that helped build the physical foundation of his basketball career. Beyond his athletic pursuits, he is known for his charismatic personality, which helped him earn the “Dancing Bear” nickname during his time with the Boston Celtics.
2025 Season Performance
Yabusele’s 2025 campaign began with a major career move, as he signed a two-year, $11.7 million contract with the New York Knicks on July 7, 2025. The signing capped a transformative summer that followed his dominant Olympic performance for France, where he was named to the All-Second Team of the 2024 Paris Games. Joining the Knicks gave him a fresh opportunity to establish himself as a consistent contributor at the NBA level.
On the international stage, Yabusele continued to shine with France at EuroBasket 2025, where he led the team with a thirty-six-point performance in a group-phase victory over Poland. His scoring outbursts, rebounding, and playoff experience from Real Madrid made him a central figure in France’s campaign, and his production underlined his growing role as one of the senior leaders of Les Bleus. His play at EuroBasket also reinforced the value he brought to the Knicks as a forward capable of dominating in big moments.
Entering the 2025–26 NBA season, Yabusele is positioned to bring physicality, championship experience, and international pedigree to a Knicks team with championship aspirations. With multiple seasons of elite competition behind him, including a EuroLeague title and two Olympic silver medals, he is expected to be a stabilizing veteran presence in the New York frontcourt rotation.