Guerschon Yabusele is back in the NBA and this time, he is making his presence felt with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 76ers’ 2024 NBA season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks could have started on a better note, finding themselves down 58-47 after 24 minutes of action. Philadelphia’s deficit stems from the fact that it is missing two stars: Joel Embiid and Paul George.

Embiid and George missed the first game of the season with a variety of injuries and as such, more responsibilities had to be placed on star guard Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the 76ers players, including Yabusele. And in the first half, the French star did what he could to keep Philadelphia within shouting distance.

With just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter, Yabusele was open in the corner with no Bucks defenders near him. After catching the pass, Yabusele calmly rose up and nailed the 3-point attempt, sending the crowd into a frenzy while the bench rose to applaud him.

Of note, Yabusele’s 3-pointer was his made basket in the NBA in over five years. Originally drafted 16th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA Draft, Yabusele spent two years in Boston, playing his final NBA game on April 4, 2019, before returning to Europe for the last five years.

And as he continued to play overseas, the 28-year-old honed his skills, culminating in an impressive showing during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In six games during the summer, Yabusele averaged 14.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 23.3 minutes of action.

Guerschon Yabusele #7 of France dunks the ball on LeBron James #6 of Team USA during the Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team USA on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France

Guerschon Yabusele’s performance against Team USA helped catapult him back into the NBA, so he believes ( 

Image:

Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Perhaps his most impressive outing came against the United States in the gold medal game. In 31 minutes, Yabusele scored 20 points, grabbed two rebounds and had two steals against the American juggernaut and while those are impressive numbers in and of itself, it was how he scored his points that was most impressive.

Specifically, there is one play that stood out that the French star believes helped pave the way to his return to the NBA. Late in the second quarter, Yabusele drove past Devin Booker and as he powered to the basket, LeBron James stepped underneath him, hoping to draw a charge.

Instead, the 28-year-old detonated on the NBA legend, providing an impressive highlight. Afterward, Yabusele admitted that his dunk on James played a part in the 76ers’ decision to sign him.

“I think that play got me signed to the NBA. I’m convinced of that,” he revealed, per AS. “Apart from how I was in the tournament or simply in the final, I think that that move added an extra something to open people’s eyes.”

“So they could see the work I’ve been doing for the last five years. And people recognize me on the street: ‘Hey, that’s the one who dunked on LeBron.’ Being in Philly I realized that.”

With Embiid and George sidelined for the foreseeable future, Yabusele could provide the spark the 76ers need as they continue to keep their head above water for their two stars’ return.