The New York Knicks made a notable addition to their second unit when they signed Guerschon Yabusele to a two-year, $11.7 million deal in free agency.
Judging off a recent interview that guard Jared McCain held with 76ers on SI’s Declan Harris, Yabusele made quite a lasting impression on his teammates last season with the 76ers that goes beyond his skills on the basketball court.
“Man, I’m gonna miss him, that’s one of the best people I’ve ever been around,” McCain said. “I could go to him for anything; a lot of my teammates are like that, but him, I gravitated to a lot. He was just super nice, just a good person and fun to play with, also another great energy person, so I’m sad to see him go.”
Yabusele enjoyed a career year in his lone season with the 76ers
Yabusele was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, where he spent two seasons before departing overseas. After an impressive showing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 76ers gave him another shot in the NBA. Yabusele responded by having the best season of his professional career, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range in 70 games (43 starts).
Along with Yabusele, the Knicks also brought in Jordan Clarkson to help redefine their bench unit. The Knicks’ bench was last in the NBA in points per game and total points last season, so Yabusele and Clarkson should help inject new life to the team’s depth.
