Guerschon Yabusele leads France’s quest for EuroBasket title

Aug 21, 2025 12:28 PM

France, widely regarded as one of the greatest powers in international basketball, return to the continental stage for FIBA EuroBasket 2025 with their eyes firmly set on redemption.

The 2013 EuroBasket champions and silver medalists from the last edition in 2022 are aiming to climb back to the top of Europe and capture only their second ever title, proving once again why they remain a force to be reckoned with.

This summer marks a historic milestone for Les Bleus: their 40th appearance in a EuroBasket Final Round. The French have been remarkably consistent throughout their history, failing to qualify for the tournament only twice, in 1969 and 1975.

Few nations can boast such a tradition, and France’s track record speaks for itself.

They arrive in Cyprus off the back of an immaculate Qualifiers campaign, having gone unbeaten, and with an incredible record of finishing on the podium in four of their last five EuroBasket participations.

These credentials alone ensure that France will once again be counted among the top contenders for the trophy.

However, there will be some challenges to overcome. Two of their brightest stars – Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama – will be absent, forcing head coach Vincent Collet to lean on a blend of youth and experience.

The torch now passes to captain Guerschon Yabusele, who steps into a defining leadership role as France transitions into a new era following the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

For Yabusele, this will be just his second EuroBasket tournament, but remarkably, it already marks his fifth appearance on the global stage, having previously collected three silver medals – two from the Olympics and one from the 2022 EuroBasket.

Now 29, the powerful forward enters the competition fresh off his return to the NBA, signing with the New York Knicks, and determined to finally push France all the way to gold.

Yabusele’s presence in the paint will be critical. Known for his energy, physicality, and relentless intensity, he is exactly the type of leader this French team needs, particularly with a roster that includes several young and debuting players.

In national team colors, he has consistently delivered, averaging 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in the Qualifiers, and previously nearly 15 points per game at EuroBasket 2022. For France to challenge for the title again, his scoring and rebounding will be essential.

France’s Group Phase schedule is as follows:

August 28: vs Belgium (17:00 CET)
August 30: vs Slovenia (17:00 CET)
August 31: vs Israel (17:00 CET)
September 2: vs Poland (20:30 CET)
September 4: vs Iceland (14:00 CET)

With Yabusele at the helm and a squad hungry to prove themselves, the French will attempt to add to their already rich EuroBasket legacy. Over the years, France has stood on every step of the podium:

Champions (1): 2013, led by legends Tony Parker and Boris Diaw in Slovenia
Runners-up (3): 1949, 2011, 2022 (falling to Spain in the final in Berlin)
Third place (6): 1937, 1951, 1953, 1959, 2005, 2015

Their lone title came in 2013, but with their pedigree, consistency, and new generation rising, France enter EuroBasket 2025 once again as one of the clear favorites to challenge for the throne.