Position Power forward Nationality French Listed weight 260 lb (118 kg) Height 2.03 m | League CBA Listed height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) Playing career Weight 118 kg | |
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Similar Ante Žižić, Ben Bentil, Isaia Cordinier, Petr Cornelie, Timothé Luwawu‑Cabarrot | ||
Guerschon Yabusele (born December 17, 1995) is a French professional basketball player for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He was considered one of the best international prospects for the 2016 NBA draft. Yabusele was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, which the Celtics chose to draft and stash him soon afterward, which led to him joining the Sharks.
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Early life
Yabusele was born and raised in Dreux, France. Throughout the early portions of his life, Yabusele trained as a boxer. He began playing basketball with the youth sections of Chorale Roanne Basket in 2012, competing with their under-21 team. His nickname is the dancing bear.
Professional career
Yabusele joined the official Roanne team of the LNB Pro B in 2013 and finished the season averaging 1.5 points per game in 8 appearances. He remained with the team for the next season, after which he averaged six points, four rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Yabusele signed with Rouen Métropole Basket of the LNB Pro A, the top league in France, in the summer of 2015. He made the decision to help his NBA draft stock. Yabusele would wind up being one of 13 international underclassmen (and one of four different Frenchmen) to officially enter their names for the 2016 NBA Draft. He was projected to be either a late first round or early second round selection, but surprised many by going 16th overall in the draft. Yabusele, though, would continue to play internationally for one more season before beginning his career in the NBA. Before doing so, he would participate with the Celtics for the 2016 NBA Summer League. On July 21, 2016, it was announced that Yabusele would sign a deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. During his season in Shanghai, Yabusele was named a CBA All-Star for the production he laid out for the Sharks.
