Guerschon Yabusele rules out NBA return, declares availability for Paris Olympics / News - Basketnews.com

Guerschon Yabusele explained why an NBA comeback isn't on the cards for him and expressed his desire to join France in the next FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers and the coming Paris Olympics.

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

Visiting France with Real Madrid to face AS Monaco on Friday evening, Guerschon Yabusele spoke with L'Equipe.

Real Madrid / Schedule

AS Monaco Real Madrid98-76 Real Madrid Olympiacos PiraeusThu19:45

The Frenchman had a complicated 2023, marked by a long suspension in the EuroLeague last spring following a fight in Game 2 of the playoff series against Partizan, an unfortunate World Cup stint with France, and a nasty knee injury in the fall which left him sidelined for seven weeks.

The former Boston Celtic forward, who played 74 NBA games between 2017 and 2019, does not intend to return to the league, even though several franchises were interested in signing him last spring to make up the numbers, as he confided.

"I no longer want to live seasons waiting to know if I'm going to play, like when I was in Boston (2017-2019) or in China (2020)," he declared.

"I want to return to the NBA, but I'm playing for the best team in Europe and I win titles. Why leave that to polish a bench there? This is perhaps what young people are doing today," he explained before accumulating 5 points and 9 rebounds in Madrid's blowout loss in Monte Carlo.

The native of Dreux hopes to "win everything" with Real Madrid this year before shining at the Paris Olympic Games with the Blues.

"This summer, the national team will come directly after the end of the season, so I will not wait for the NBA. I'm waiting for the Games," Yabusele clarified.

If the Paris Olympics are indeed in the sights, Yabusele is expected to participate in the qualifying window for EuroBasket 2025 next month.

"It's a huge source of pride for the city, and for my former club Alliance de Dreux. My family is happy, I’m proud. I was told that it could potentially coincide with the preparation of the team of France, but I hope that we will find a way for me to participate.

Carrying the Olympic flame in my home town, that doesn't happen every day."

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