Knicks defeat Guerschon Yabusele while he records a double-double for Bulls

Gershon Yabusele’s New Beginning in Chicago

Gershon Yabusele found a fresh start in Chicago.

Just a day after his trade to the Bulls ahead of the NBA deadline, the former Knicks player made a notable impact by achieving his fourth career double-double during a 123-107 loss against the Raptors on Thursday night.

In his debut for Chicago, the 30-year-old forward recorded 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Yabusele shot 6 for 11 from the field while playing a season-high 33 minutes, including hitting 3 of 6 three-pointers.

During his 41-game stint with the Knicks, he only managed to score double digits once, netting 11 points against the Jazz back in December. His rebounding numbers were similarly modest, with a maximum of six boards in any game throughout the season.

The French player had joined the Knicks on a two-year deal worth approximately $12 million, with a player option, right after a standout season with the Sixers.

Drafted 16th overall by the Celtics in 2016, Yabusele spent two seasons in Boston from 2017 to 2019, before venturing abroad to revive his career in France and Spain.

He returned to the NBA last season with Philadelphia, averaging 11 points and 5.6 rebounds across 70 games.

The Knicks had high hopes for him to replicate that impact as a bench player, but he found it challenging and eventually fell out of the rotation, leading to trade discussions.

In New York, Yabusele managed just 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

After sending him to Chicago as part of a deal involving Darren Terry, the Bulls quickly traded him to the Pelicans for Jose Alvarado, who hails from Brooklyn.

Though his time with the Knicks was brief, Yabusele took to social media to express his gratitude for the organization and its supporters.

In a heartfelt post, he remarked, “We envisioned our journey differently, but in the life of an athlete, things don’t always follow the script. I’m thankful for every moment I spent in this legendary jersey. A big thank you to my staff, teammates, and fans for all your support and energy.”