French Forward Gershon Yabusele Explains Why He Left the NBA for EuroLeague

Gershon Yabusele, the French forward who recently joined Panathinaikos, opened up about his decision to leave the NBA and return to the EuroLeague. After starting the previous season with the New York Knicks and then moving to the Chicago Bulls due to limited playing time, Yabusele realized the challenges he faced in securing significant minutes on the court. He explained in an interview with AS that conversations with his wife, agents, and mentor led him to understand that staying in the NBA under those conditions would be difficult. "I remembered other French players who stayed for years with little playing time, but I can't do that. I want to be the one deciding my future," he said.

Yabusele described how Knicks coach Mike Brown emphasized heavy minutes for his starting five, leaving almost no playing time for others. This realization made Yabusele see that the upcoming season would be very tough for him. He also commented on fellow French player Victor Wembanyama, praising his continuous development and exceptional ability to adapt and dominate his position.

Yabusele's move to Panathinaikos marks a significant step in his career as he seeks more playing opportunities and a leading role in European basketball. His return to the EuroLeague comes after interest from other teams, including Hapoel Tel Aviv, but he ultimately chose the Greek club to advance his career.