BOSTON — When Guerschon Yabusele made his return to TD Garden, it wasn’t just that he was back in the building where his NBA career started. No, he also saw some old friends who are still holding it down in Boston.
That includes Jaylen Brown, the current longest-tenured Celtics player. Both Brown and Yabusele were taken in the first round of the 2016 draft, when Brown went third overall while Yabusele was picked 16th. So, the two got to see each other again Saturday in the Celtics’ preseason win over the 76ers at the Garden.
“It was great,” Brown said. “We got a chance to talk before the game. Yabu’s one of my good friends. We kind of came into the organization together, so to see him back in the NBA — he’s been playing well overseas. I thought he had a great Olympic run and it kind of led to him being here. Even though he’s on the Sixers, it’s all good still, it’s still bittersweet.”
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
Yabusele played with the Celtics from 2017-19, suiting up in 74 total games before getting waived July 2019. Since then, Yabusele has played overseas while hoping for his next NBA chance. That opportunity came this summer after a stellar showing in the Paris Olympics, earning a silver medal for his native France.
Yabusele was vocal about wanting to return to the NBA — the Sixers gave him that opportunity. So while Brown doesn’t sound thrilled his old friend is on a division rival, he does sound happy Yabusele was able to make it back to the league. At this point, Yabusele’s trying to stick in the NBA for as long as he can this time.
There will likely be an adjustment period as Yabusele relearns the NBA game. But the 28-year-old forward returns stateside as a different player. As he showed in the Olympics, he’s physical enough for the NBA game. He also added an important jumper to his game as a 3-and-D guy. The Sixers are still experimenting to see how he fits within the team, but that’ll be a work-in-progress going forward.
“I learned to be in a special group with a special team, just being around those guys, watching them right now, how much they’ve grown, watching them winning the championship,“ Yabusele said. ”But when I was here, just being around the great players was a good experience, being able to learn that to stay ready, work on my body and get all of this work ethic that got me where I am today. I was really grateful for that.”
