Gershon Yabusele’s Preseason Struggles
Gershon Yabusele has been facing quite a challenge this preseason, as noted by his new head coach.
At 29 years old, Yabusele has had a tough time finding his rhythm, particularly while shifting between various frontcourt roles. His performance during Monday’s game against the Wizards seemed particularly off.
Yabusele, who joined the Knicks as their most significant offseason signing with a $12 million contract, stands at 6-foot-8. While he naturally fits the power forward position, he is also strong enough to play center.
Due to Ariel Hukporti’s illness, Yabusele unexpectedly started at center in the game against the Wizards but ended up losing the position to former draft pick Marvin Bagley III.
During Yabusele’s 23 minutes on the court, the Knicks found themselves trailing by 33 points.
Knicks coach Mike Brown commented, “We saw this as a great opportunity for him to gain experience at center. It was a tough spot, and he seemed to overthink things a bit, which can happen. That hesitation affected his game in other areas. However, I noticed he improved his energy and activity in the second half, showing some signs of comfort, but there’s still a learning curve ahead.”
Brown added that both Yabusele and Karl-Anthony Towns, who also plays in the frontcourt, are adapting well to the new system since they need to grasp all five positions and respond to the evolving offense.
This preseason, Yabusele has averaged 4.5 points in 16 minutes per game, shooting at 33%. He identified pace as the most significant adjustment he needs to make.
Weighing in at 265 pounds, he fits well into Brown’s fast-paced system. “It’s definitely a big learning curve,” he admitted. “But I enjoy running, so focusing on sprinting to the basket and trying to wear the opposing team down is key for me.”
After a couple of defensive lapses in the second quarter, Brown had to take Yabusele aside for a quick chat before putting him back on the floor just 40 seconds later.
Yabusele shared, “We discussed what was happening during the game and the specific areas where I needed to improve.”
Preseason is undoubtedly a critical time for making strides in his learning process.
“I’m aiming to stay focused and attentive to every detail,” Yabusele said. “This is a new team for me with new teammates, so I’m working hard to adapt to the system and be part of the solution rather than the problem.”
