Jaylen Brown reflected on seeing his former teammate Guerschon Yabusele back in the NBA after Yabusele joined the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. Yabusele made his return to the league after a successful stint with Real Madrid and a standout performance in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Following the Boston Celtics’ dominant 139-89 victory over the Sixers in a preseason game, Brown shared his thoughts on reconnecting with Yabusele. “That was great. We had our chance to talk before the game,” Brown said. “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, he had a great Olympic run and it led to him being here.”
Despite being thrilled to see his friend back in the NBA, Brown acknowledged that Yabusele’s presence with a rival team brings mixed emotions. “Even though he’s on the Sixers, it’s all good, it’s still bittersweet,” Brown added.
Yabusele, who started as a center for Philadelphia in the absence of Joel Embiid, had a solid performance during the preseason matchup. He contributed 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, marking his return to the NBA after his years of success overseas.
Brown, leading the way for Boston, posted a team-high 18 points, along with 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the Celtics’ lopsided victory over Philadelphia.
Yabusele, who initially entered the NBA as a first-round pick by the Celtics in 2016, struggled to find consistent minutes during his first stint in the league. After two seasons in Boston, he transitioned to European basketball, where he revitalized his career with Real Madrid, becoming a key figure for the team.
His strong play for Real Madrid and his standout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics helped Yabusele earn his second chance in the NBA. In Paris, Yabusele played a significant role for the French national team, showcasing his skills on the international stage, which caught the attention of NBA scouts.
