PHILADELPHIA, PA — Following Philadelphia’s overtime defeat at the hands of the Houston Rockets, Sixers offseason addition Guerschon Yabusele addressed the media.
Yabusele had just played over 45 minutes between regulation and OT, scoring 22 points and drawing MVP chants from the fans. Yabusele has been a small-ball five, a floor-spacing four, a starter, a reserve, a spark of energy, and a calming presence in the lineup.
Tyrese Maxey discussed the extra asks the team has had for Yabusele, who was the 14th man signed to the roster, certainly without the expectations of being a starter, let alone one of the team’s most consistent contributors.
“Guerschon played 43 minutes today. Him coming over; he probably didn’t expect to ever play more than 30 minutes… So it’s difficult, but we finally kind of figured out a rhythm, how we want to play, how we can get guys shots, how we get Guerschon shots…”
When asked about effectively being forced into the expanded role he’s playing, Yabusele spoke of his hunger to contribute, showing a deep understanding of the opportunity he has been given.
“I’m definitely hungry. So me, coming up in a year, signing a one year, I got to be the hungriest on the court. So just try to hit the team, just play with a lot of energy, a lot of force. I understand that it’s rare to have a second chance in the NBA, so when I’m out here, I just try to compete the best as I can. Even though I’m tired, just trying not to show it too much and be there on every action defensively, especially.”
Seventeen games into the season, Yabusele is averaging 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 43.5% from three on 4.1 attempts per game. There are few bright spots this season for Philadelphia, but without question, Guerschon Yabusele is among them. There is little doubt that Yabusele should remain in the starting lineup if when Paul George and Joel Embiid return.
It’s early, but undoubtedly, Guerschon Yabusele has made the most of this second chance. He’s already in line for a sizeable payday, and more importantly, he has reestablished himself as an NBA talent.
