Guerschon Yabusele Welcomes New Challenge with Knicks

Guerschon Yabusele feels like he’s a great fit for his new team, the Knicks. In a recent chat with SkWeek, he shared his thoughts on moving to New York City.

“Choosing the Knicks was a significant decision for me,” Yabusele explained. “I feel their style really aligns with who I am—fighting hard and embracing the underdog role every night.”

At 29, Yabusele was impressed by the team chemistry he observed during last season. “You could see it; they really gelled together,” he remarked, reflecting on how well they played as a unit.

Standing at 6-foot-8, the Frenchman was selected 16th overall by the Celtics back in 2016. However, he only played in 74 games over two seasons before heading to Europe. It was during the 2024 Paris Olympics that his talent truly shone, helping him secure a contract back in the NBA with the 76ers.

Last season, in 70 games for Philadelphia, Yabusele averaged about 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, with impressive shooting stats of 50.1% overall and 38% from beyond the arc. Before returning stateside, he had established himself as a star in Europe—most notably spending three successful years with Real Madrid, where he won the Euroleague Championship in 2023.

Now, he’s on a two-year deal with the Knicks, reportedly worth around $12 million in the second year, which is a player’s option. He anticipates significant minutes in the frontcourt, especially behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson.

“I’m really excited to get started,” Yabusele concluded during the interview. “It feels like the right place at the right time.” Additionally, the Knicks have brought in Mike Brown as their new head coach and signed veteran guard Jordan Clarkson.