Yabusele rules out return to Europe: “I want to complete five years in the NBA”

Guerschon Yabusele, now with the New York Knicks, hadn’t planned on returning to the NBA. But his standout performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics — including that unforgettable dunk over LeBron James in the gold‑medal game against Team USA — reignited interest from several franchises and opened the door for his comeback.

Before that, he’d already had a first stint in the league with the Boston Celtics (2017–19), followed by stops in China, ASVEL Villeurbanne, and then Real Madrid (2021–24).

From Spain back to the NBA

In the summer of 2024, Yabusele was still under contract with Real Madrid, but he paid his buyout and made his way back to the NBA. He signed with the Philadelphia 76ers and put together a strong season, earning himself another deal for the current campaign — this time with the Knicks. His departure, never properly replaced by then‑coach Chus Mateo, left a noticeable void in Madrid’s roster.

This past summer, Yabusele signed a two‑year deal with New York worth $11.2 million in total. By December, reports surfaced about a possible trade, and his role has been smaller than expected: limited minutes and averages of just 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Despite the challenges — and despite his frequent praise for European basketball and the EuroLeague — the French forward isn’t considering a return to the continent. “The NBA is a lifetime project,” he said on Just Rihad’s YouTube channel. “If you play three seasons in the NBA, you get a lifetime pension. After four, your medical expenses are covered forever, and after five, the coverage extends to your family. I want to play five years so my family has medical coverage for life. You never know what could happen.”

Those long‑term financial and medical benefits have heavily influenced Yabusele’s recent decisions — and likely will continue to do so, at least until he completes that fifth NBA season, which would come in 2026–27.

Even so, Yabusele later clarified his initial comments after receiving more detailed information about the league’s benefits: “Medical expenses are reimbursed for spouses and children after 10 seasons in the NBA, and for the player after nine.”

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