French Forward Gershon Yabusele Explains Decision to Join Panathinaikos

Gershon Yabusele, a sought-after French forward in the EuroLeague, officially joined the Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos this week. After attracting interest from several top clubs, including Hapoel Tel Aviv, Yabusele arrived in Athens on July 16, 2026, and shared the reasons behind his choice to sign with the Greek team.

Yabusele emphasized his strong motivation to return to European basketball and highlighted the club's ambitious goals as a key factor in his decision. He also mentioned the influence of teammates Mostafa Fall and Mathias Lessort, who played a significant role in persuading him to join. The enthusiastic support from Panathinaikos fans, who sent him daily messages encouraging him to sign, further convinced him.

He recalled his previous experience playing against Panathinaikos with Real Madrid and praised the passionate fanbase. Yabusele also spoke about his positive discussions with head coach Željko Obradović, describing the coach as one of the main reasons for his arrival. Maintaining contact with Lessort throughout the season and attempting a move during the February trade deadline strengthened his desire to play alongside his close friends, whom he called "brothers," believing they will help him perform at his best on the court.