Olympic Star Guerschon Yabusele Wants NBA Comeback, But There's A $2.5 Million Roadblock

Photo: Guerschon Yabusele (Instagram)

French basketball player Guerschon Yabusele, who shined in the 2024 Olympic Games, is aiming for a return to the NBA. Yabusele, who was the No. 16 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has been playing for Real Madrid since 2019.

However, after a strong performance at the Olympics, where he averaged 14 points per game and even dunked on LeBron James, Yabusele is eager for another chance in the NBA.

He expressed his desire on Twitter, saying, "Been waiting for a 2nd chance... I'm ready." But there's a catch—Yabusele is still under contract with Real Madrid for one more season. To leave, he would need to pay a $2.5 million buyout.

Photo: Guerschon Yabusele (Instagram)

This buyout is a significant hurdle. NBA teams can only contribute $850,000 towards an international player's buyout, leaving Yabusele to cover the remaining $1.65 million himself. For a player who has been out of the NBA for a few years, this is a big financial risk.

Despite the challenges, a return to the NBA could be highly rewarding for Yabusele. NBA players generally earn much more than their international counterparts. 


If he can prove himself in the NBA, his future earnings could be much higher. Yabusele is known for his strong, physical play and ability to score inside. He's also shown he can shoot three-pointers effectively.


While no NBA teams have shown interest yet, the recent Olympics have likely put Yabusele back on the radar. With NBA training camps still a month away, there's time for a team to consider giving him another shot.

Read Next: Team USA Basketball Shows Poor Sportsmanship With Noah Lyles Tweet

Source: CBS Sports 

Comments

Trending Now

Mike Tyson Explains Viral Jake Paul Slap: 'He Stepped On My Foot'

Katie Taylor Suspended After Controversial Win Over Amanda Serrano

Steph Curry Wants Caitlin Clark, Klay Thompson In All-Star Three-Point Contest

Dwight Howard Wants To Join Thunder After Chet Holmgren’s Injury

Ryan Garcia Plans Return To Boxing In December, Eyes Fight With Jake Paul

Ye Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Copyright Theft In 'Vultures 1'

Evander Holyfield Reveals The Best Fighter He Ever Faced

Prosecutors Say Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Is Trying To Influence Witnesses And The Jury While In Jail

Jon Jones Predicts Gable Steveson Will Become UFC Champion

Jake Paul Challenges Canelo Alvarez: “He Just Wants Money”