Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics crossed paths with an old friend during their Sunday night matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Guerschon Yabusele, Boston’s 16th overall pick from the 2016 NBA draft, rose to the occasion as he hosted his former team and a few former teammates. Yabusele scored 21 points, shot 8-of-13 from the floor and grabbed six rebounds in the 118-110 Celtics victory, putting everyone on notice, including the reigning champions.
“I love Guersch,” Tatum told reporters postgame, per The Athletic’s Jay King. “I love that he’s getting an opportunity. I think just the biggest thing is he’s getting an opportunity and looks like he’s really taking care of his body. He looks like he’s in great shape, he looks like he’s lost some weight. And he’s getting an opportunity to play and he’s playing aggressive with confidence. So I’m happy that he’s back in the league and thriving.”
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Yabusele, who signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Sixers in the offseason and is now linked as a trade target for the C’s. Three days remain until Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline, and if Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens works some magic, Yabusele’s career could come full circle with a reunion.
Yabusele lasted two seasons with the Celtics before the team released him and triggered his six-year recess from NBA basketball. From there, Yabusele went overseas to transform and improve, spending time in China and with Real Madrid Baloncesto in Spain.
Boston, at the time, didn’t have a place for Yabusele to develop. The Celtics were stacked with Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, and role players Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier, Daniel Theis and Aron Baynes coming off the bench. Yabusele wasn’t viewed as a legitimate NBA talent, even though Celtics fans gifted him with “The Dancing Bear” nickname, but the split paid off.
Yabusele joined Rudy Gobert, Victor Wembanyama, Nicholas Batum and Evan Fournier to represent France in the 2024 Paris Olympics this past summer — and played a valuable role. He averaged 14 points, the second-most of anyone on the team, along with 3.3 rebounds and a 12.3 efficiency rating across six games.
It wasn’t enough to put Team France over the edge once they crossed paths with Team USA in the gold medal matchup. However, it did get Yabusele’s foot back in the NBA.
Now as a member of the Sixers, Yabusele has averaged 11 points, 5.5 rebounds and two assists, shooting 51.5% from the floor and 40.2% from 3-point range. The 6-foot-8, 260-pound forward has made the most of his return, taking advantage of the opportunities that have opened amid Philadelphia’s injury-riddled campaign.
Yabusele’s stock value has slingshot, but a return to the Celtics could be the next best thing.
When Boston hosted the Sixers in the preseason, and Yabusele made his return to TD Garden, the veteran forward opened up about the emotions of being back for the first time since departing in 2019.
“It’s a special feeling, for sure,” Yabusele said in October, per CLNS Media. “Especially yesterday when we were driving around the city. Just being able to come back, it was really a special feeling. Coming here to the arena, seeing all the changes. But can’t wait for the environment for tonight, to be able to be with the fans, just enjoy the moment.”
If the Celtics fail to acquire Yabusele by Thursday, the team could target him in the offseason with a multi-year contract offer instead.
