Former Celtic Explodes In First Game With New Team
Former Boston Celtics big man Guerschon Yabusele never got it going with the New York Knicks, but he’s looking much better in a Chicago Bulls uniform.
After getting traded from New York to Chicago at the deadline, Yabusele wasted no time asserting himself in the Windy City.
Yabu finished with 15 points and 11 boards in his Bulls debut on Thursday evening. His stat line included three 3-pointers and two steals.
Drafted 16th overall by Danny Ainge’s Celtics front office in 2016, Yabusele spent his initial two NBA seasons from 2017 to 2019 in a reserve role, appearing in 74 games and averaging just 2.3 points per contest while adapting to the league’s pace.
Released by Boston, Yabusele headed overseas, thriving in China with the Nanjing Monkey Kings, then in France with ASVEL, and finally in Spain with Real Madrid, where he won multiple titles and honed his skills as a versatile big man.
His breakout came during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he helped France secure a silver medal with strong performances, including a memorable poster dunk on LeBron James in the final. This propelled him back to the NBA, signing a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2024-25 season. Yabusele excelled there, playing in 70 games with 43 starts, posting 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 38.0 percent from three, proving his value as a stretch forward.
In the offseason, he inked a two-year contract with the Knicks, but the chemistry never took root. Through 41 appearances off the bench, he averaged only 8.9 minutes, 2.7 points, and 2.1 rebounds, with shooting dips to 39.3 percent overall and 29.4 percent from deep, as he struggled for consistent playing time amid a crowded frontcourt.
The Knicks traded him to the Bulls for Dalen Terry. At 30, Yabusele remains a player with value, blending international polish with NBA experience.