Inside The Celtics

Former Celtics 1st-Rd Pick States Desire for NBA Return After Impressing at Olympics

Bobby Krivitsky

Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; France power forward Guerschon Yabusele (7) dunks against United States guard Devin Booker (15) and centre Joel Embiid (11) in the first quarter in the men's basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; France power forward Guerschon Yabusele (7) dunks against United States guard Devin Booker (15) and centre Joel Embiid (11) in the first quarter in the men's basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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A bold decision by Vincent Collet, the head coach of France's men's basketball team, helped propel the host country to the gold medal game after an inauspicious start that pre-dated the Olympics.

France entered group play having lost their last four exhibition contests. They then squeaked by Japan, 94-90, and lost to Germany by 14. Entering their quarterfinal matchup against Canada, widely regarded as the second-most talented team in the tournament behind the U.S., Collet moved four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to the second unit, starting Guerschon Yabusele in his place.

The six-foot-eight power forward responded with a team-high 22 points, helping lead France past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, and a roster featuring ten NBA players.

In France's final three games, Yabusele averaged 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per contest. That includes a 20-point performance in the gold medal round against Team USA, where he posterized LeBron James.

On the heels of an impressive Olympic showcase, Yabusele, who the Boston Celtics selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, has made it clear he'd like a second chance on basketball's most prominent stage.

In his two years with the Celtics, he averaged 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.6 minutes of floor time across 74 games. He converted on 32.3 percent of the 0.9 threes he hoisted.

As a more seasoned player than the one who left Boston at 23, Yabusele, who turns 29 in December, just put together an Olympic run that will at least have teams considering whether to extend an invitation for him to join them at training camp.

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About 'Challenging and Humbling' Olympic Experience

Jayson Tatum Joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James on Historic List After Winning Gold

Jrue Holiday Makes History in Team USA's Gold Medal Win

Fenway Sports Group Considering Buying the Celtics

Here's What to Know about Jaylen Brown's Boston XChange

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

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Bobby Krivitsky

BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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