Yabusele: Panathinaikos can defeat NBA teams

In an interview with L'Equipe, Guerschon Yabusele detailed the reasons for his signing with Panathinaikos and expressed his belief that the Greek team has the competitive potential to face American teams. The thirty-year-old French international forward, after leaving the NBA, found in Athens the project he was looking for: continuity, prominence, and aspirations for continental glory.

The French player's decision to return to the EuroLeague marks a turning point in his career. After a season in which his role in the United States was reduced, Yabusele opted for an exit that prioritized the stability of his family over a minimum contract with no guarantees of minutes. "Basketball comes first. I want to play, make mistakes, grow, and win titles," he emphasized in his statements, reflecting a winning mentality that aligns with the goals of the Greek giant.

A team with NBA-level talent

Yabusele did not hesitate to label Panathinaikos as "perhaps the most talented team I have been a part of." The signings made during the summer impressed him to the point of acknowledging that he has seen comparisons between the starting quintet in Athens and those of American franchises. "If everything fits, we could beat some teams from the United States," he confidently stated, although he clarified that he does not dare to face the NBA champions.

The presence of a sizable French community in the roster is a significant factor. Alongside Yabusele, Panathinaikos has Mathias Lessort, a teammate and close friend of the player, who facilitated his adaptation to life in Athens. "Mathias welcomed me. He showed me the arena and the facilities," Yabusele explained, highlighting the importance of having a known reference within the new project. Also present are Isaac Bonga and Brancou Badio, expanding the circle of French speakers in the locker room.

The Greek organization presents itself as "first-class with great ambitions." The three-year contract that Yabusele signed reflects the mutual commitment and trust placed in the player. "Our ceiling has no limits. We are players who want to win and know how to do it," he asserted, aware that he must share prominence in a roster full of talent.

The break with the NBA and its reasons

Yabusele elaborated on the reasons that led him to leave the NBA. Although he acknowledged recovering well in Chicago towards the end of the previous season, the playing opportunities were scarce. The offers received in the American league did not meet his expectations nor those of his family. The proposal from Minnesota, partially guaranteed and with the risk of being traded, was insufficient to justify further moves and school changes for his children.

"For a minimum contract and with no guaranteed playing time, did I really want to subject my family to two more moves in six months?" the player questioned. This reflection highlights that, for Yabusele, the decision went beyond mere sports. Family stability and the possibility of playing regularly weighed more than staying in the United States with an uncertain role.

His previous stint in Philadelphia also left a mark. Yabusele acknowledged that he could have "taken a step back" again but chose an alternative that guaranteed him minutes and an ambitious project. "I will miss the NBA, but I was completely at peace with the idea of returning," he stated, demonstrating that the transition to Europe was well-considered and consensual.

The locker room of Panathinaikos: atmosphere and cohesion

Yabusele provided a vivid description of the atmosphere in the Athens locker room. "It was absolute chaos. Everyone was laughing," he recalled after observing the group's dynamics. The jokes among teammates, especially between the French players and the others, create a camaraderie that the player considers beneficial for facing the tough stretches of the season.

The anecdote of the "French corner" illustrates the integration of the French players into the project. Positioned next to the fridge with energy drinks, their teammates constantly joke about Yabusele's consumption of Red Bulls. "I hadn't experienced an atmosphere like this in a long time," he confessed, suggesting that this relaxed atmosphere positively contrasts with his recent experience in the NBA.

Juancho Hernangómez appears as another key figure in the locker room dynamics, constantly reminding Sylvain —another of the French players— of his victories in youth categories and in the EuroBasket 2022 final. These moments of sporting and personal complicity reinforce the group cohesion that Yabusele considers essential for success.

Culture and a warrior mentality

Living in Athens has sparked in Yabusele an interest in Greek history and mythology. He has deepened his knowledge about gods like Zeus and Athena, and even visualized "The Odyssey" during the summer. "This culture is amazing. The warrior mentality resonates with me," he explained, relating these concepts to the sports realm. For him, the Greek energy and fighting spirit are elements that enhance the competitive mentality needed in basketball.

The rivalry with Olympiacos and expectations

Yabusele was cautious when addressing the rivalry with Olympiacos, the eternal enemy of Panathinaikos. Although he did not dare to delve directly with rival fans, his conversations with Greek supporters revealed that the rivalry "goes beyond mere sports." He noted that while players treat each other with respect, the intensity between fans reaches levels he described as "something that surpasses anything one can imagine."

Olympiacos entered the previous season as champions of both the EuroLeague and the Greek league, highlighting the competitive level of the region and Panathinaikos' aspirations to regain supremacy.

Yabusele expressed his dream of conquering a "full sweep of titles" with the Athens team. He recalled that in 2023 the team won, but he had to watch from the sidelines, an experience he described as "the worst memory of my life." Now, with the opportunity to participate actively, he envisions a season in which "the whole city would come to a standstill for several days" if the team were to win it all. This objective, more than ambitious, reflects the level of expectations surrounding the project and the determination of the French player to contribute to achieving it.

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