By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
If there were any doubts about whether Guerschon Yabusele would translate his game to the needs of a major EuroLeague contender like Real Madrid, the “Bear” obliterated them in the blink of an eye.
Just a few months into his stint with Real, Yabusele has emerged as one of the leaders of the Spanish powerhouse, averaging a team-high 12.9 points plus 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists over nine games of the EuroLeague regular season. While the 25-year-old French forward had already shown how versatile he is on a EuroLeague level during his run with ASVEL Villeurbanne, he’s now demonstrating more depths and layers by being a multidimensional, energy-packed factor for the Blancos on both ends of the floor.
In a Q&A session with Eurohoops, Yabusele discussed his first months as a Madridista, his personal goals, the small French “colony” on the team while humbly refusing to make a specific mention of his own performances. He also talked about winning the silver medal with France at the Olympic Games and the ambition to reach the top of the podium in Paris 2024.
Eurohoops: How is your Real Madrid experience so far?
Guerschon Yabusele: It’s been great. I love it here. The team, the city, the fans. In general, everything has been great. Everybody has been helping me to adjust to this team the best way they can.
EH: What was your first thought when you got the offer from Real Madrid in the summer?
G.Y.: I really think about the brand. It’s a great club, a big team. They have so many trophies, so many championships. This is a winning team. When you think about coming to Real Madrid, you just think of coming here and giving your best.
EH: Does it help to have a couple (Thomas Heurtel, Fabien Causeur, Vincent Poirier) of fellow French players on the same team?
G.Y.: Fabien has been here on Real Madrid longer than us. Thomas played a lot in Spain too so everybody knows him around. Vincent had been here [Spain] too. For me, translating into the Spanish way or spending time with them, has been pretty good.
I’m really having a connection with anybody on the court. I played with Thomas on the French national team and we were on the same team [ASVEL] last year so we’ve played together a bit longer. But I think I’m connecting well with everybody. Overall, we have so many talented players here. It’s great being on the court with any of them.
EH: How is it having a EuroLeague great like Sergio Llull as your captain? You got an early first-hand taste of what he can do in the SuperCup Final.
G.Y.: It’s been great. He’s a great example. A veteran player. Everything he does is just perfect. He just tries to help the team. He plays with a lot of intensity. He just has so much a talent. Just seeing him and having him around us is great and so important for everyone.
EH: What’s your impression of coach Pablo Laso?
G.Y.: He knows the game. Every time he sees something, he talks to me, I really listen. Just with everything he says, he helps me so much. He’s a great coach I’m learning and looking forward to having a great year with him.
EH: How was it playing on a club (ASVEL) that has a figure like Tony Parker as president?
G.Y.: He was with us a couple of times. Having a legend and such a successful NBA player like him being around us telling you what he sees was great for us to listen to and improve.
EH: What did he say to you when you joined Real Madrid?
G.Y.: He just wished me the best. He said he was really happy for the way I improved. He said that me signing with Real Madrid was the result of my improvement, working hard and having such a good season. That it was the fruit of my work.
EH: You helped France win the silver medal in the Olympic Games. How was that experience?
G.Y.: I’ll speak for everybody, as a team. When we came to this competition, we had a lot of people doubting us. For sure to be able to go over there all the way to the Final and losing only to the USA… I won’t say it’s good because we wanted lose the gold medal for sure. But the only game we lost was the Final. So we went there and won pretty much every game except the Final, we returned back with the silver medal. Everybody was really happy about it.
EH: The next Olympic Games will be held in Paris. Some members of the French national team have hinted that the goal will be the gold exclusively. What’s the mindset for you?
G.Y.: We’ll go over there and give everything. If I can be part of this team, I’ll be the happiest guy for sure. I’ll have my family and my friends coming and watch these Olympics. This is the best competition in the world. It will be great, not only for basketball and all the sports. We’re looking forward to play this and we’ll try to win it [the gold] of course.
EH: What do you make of your two years with the Boston Celtics. Was it a lesson for you?
G.Y.: I won’t say a lesson but I’ll say it was an experience. My position on the team was really different from what I’ve been through during my earlier career. I usually started and played a lot of minutes and then I was in China. Over there I was playing the game but going to the NBA I had to wait, sit out, come off the bench. Sometimes I didn’t play but I stayed focused, being on the gym and working hard. And just wait to have the chance.
EH: Do you think of a potential NBA return?
G.Y.: I really don’t know. Right now I try to focus on this season and, how far we can go and giving my best. I will see about the future when the time comes.
EH: Real Madrid is naturally aiming to sweep all titles. What’s your personal approach this season?
G.Y.: Just trying to be consistent, have a regular contribution. Coming into any game and giving all of my energy. I’m not really focused on myself. I’m all about winning games. When you win games, everybody’s happy. I’m only worried about winning games, make less mistakes on the court, help my teammates and that’s about it.
Photo: Sonia Canada via Getty Images