Guerschon Yabusele


Guerschon Yabusele is a French professional basketball player for ASVEL of the French LNB Pro A. He was considered one of the best international prospects for the 2016 NBA draft. Yabusele was drafted with the 16th overall pick by the Boston Celtics. Whilst with the Celtics, despite not being productive on the floor, he was a fan favorite and nicknamed The Dancing Bear.

Early life

Yabusele was born and raised in Dreux, France, to parents who emigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Throughout the early portions of his life, Yabusele trained as a boxer. He began playing basketball with the youth sections of Chorale Roanne Basket in 2012, competing with their under-21 team.

Professional career

Yabusele joined the official Roanne team of the LNB Pro B in 2013 and finished the season averaging 1.5 points per game in 8 appearances. He remained with the team for the next season, after which he averaged six points, four rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Yabusele signed with Rouen Métropole Basket of the LNB Pro A, the top league in France, in the summer of 2015. He made the decision to help his NBA draft stock. Yabusele wound up being one of 13 international underclassmen to officially enter their names for the 2016 NBA Draft. He was projected to be either a late first round or early second round selection, but surprised many by going 16th overall in the draft. Yabusele joined the Boston Celtics for the 2016 NBA Summer League.
On July 21, 2016, it was announced that Yabusele would sign a deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. In 43 games for the Sharks, he averaged 20.9 points and 9.4 rebounds. Yabusele was named a CBA All-Star for the production he laid out for the Sharks.
On March 29, 2017, Yabusele signed with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.
On July 20, 2017 Yabusele signed with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. He made his debut on October 20, finishing with a statline of 3 points and 1 rebound in just 3 minutes of action in a 102–92 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. During his rookie season, he received multiple assignments to the Maine Red Claws. On July 10, 2019 Yabusele was waived by the Celtics.
On August 17, 2019, Yabusele signed with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, returning to the CBA for the 2019–20 season.
On February 25, 2020, he has signed with ASVEL of the French LNB Pro A. Yabusele re-signed with the team on June 1.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs