EuroBasket hasn't even started, and Guerschon Yabusele is already making me wish the Spurs had gone after him hard while he was a free agent. Now, the New York Knicks will get the benefit he brings to the court when San Antonio would have been a perfect spot for him. He just helped France go 5-0 in exhibition games, spanking Greece in their last friendly game before the tournament begins.
In France’s final tuneup today (a victory over Giannis and Greece) - Guerschon Yabusele tallied 14 points, 3 assists, 2 steals
He was 4-of-5 from the floor and a perfect 3-of-3 from downtown
pic.twitter.com/Hcn6dOwkxd
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) August 24, 2025
Yabusele shot 50% from the floor and 38% from three last season for the 76ers. That type of efficiency could have been very useful for a team that had its fair share of scoring droughts last year. But that's not all the French big man brings to the table. His energy is consistent and infectious. He knows it and brought it up recently when asked about his game.
Yabusele on the part of his game that has taken the NBA by surprise:
“I would say, first of all, the energy. People love the energy that I bring on the court - 'dying' for the ball, diving for the ball. Just fight through it for 48 minutes. It doesn't matter who win or lose,…
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) August 24, 2025
He's exactly right. People love his energy, and it was never more apparent than when he stepped up time after time in the 2024 Paris Olympics last summer. Yabu showed that he's a special player, and you can be that without being the star of the team.
Yabusele would have starred in his role for the Spurs
Professional players will tell you that it's much easier to play their games when they know what their role is early. Good coaches will tell them early what the expectations are, and when they're comfortable with that assignment, they thrive in it. Guerschon is an example of a guy who stars in his role even though his job isn't to be the frontman of the team.
He has experience with Victor Wembanyama, so there's no reason why he couldn't have made an easy transition with the franchise. When free agency began, the backup center position was a priority for the Silver and Black. They went with Luke Kornet, and that was a fantastic signing, but I wouldn't have been opposed to adding both players.
The Spurs will be paying Kelly Olynyk 13 million this year. Yabusele is only making $5.5 million. The funds were there, and I know they traded Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley away to get KO, but they could have just cut those guys and still opened up the necessary space to add the skilled Frenchman.
I mean, listen to his attitude. He wants to fight for every possession, diving for loose balls, and leaving it all on the floor. Rooting for him every game would have been so fun. It would have been easy to see him becoming a long-term fan-favorite quickly. Oh well. He only signed a two-year deal, so maybe San Antonio will go after him next time.