Yabusele: 'Obradovic Is One of the Best Coaches in EuroLeague, I Respect Him'

Guerschon Yabusele, born and raised in Paris and one of the indispensable names of the French national team, is experiencing the most mature period of his basketball career. When he left Real Madrid and transferred to Panathinaikos, many questioned this decision. But for Yabusele, this was not just a club change; it was also the opportunity to work with the most important coach of his career. In an interview with the Greek press, Yabusele sincerely described his new life at Panathinaikos, his relationship with his teammates, and his collaboration with coach Zeljko Obradovic. Especially his referring to teammates Matthias Lessort, Moustapha Fall, and Sylvain Francisco as 'my brothers' shows how strong the team's harmony is. Unable to hide the sparkle in his eyes when talking about Obradovic, Yabusele said, 'He is one of the best coaches in the EuroLeague, if not the best. You know, he has a unique mentality, he thinks differently, he has great experience and has won many championships. Being able to return to the EuroLeague and work with such a coach is truly special, and I know its value. That's why I just try to respect him and learn from him.' These words summarize where Yabusele has come in his career. When he was selected 16th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2026 NBA Draft, everyone had high expectations for him. But his NBA adventure did not go as expected. In 74 games with the Celtics, Yabusele could only contribute 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. In 2026, he returned to the Chinese League and then to France. After two seasons at ASVEL, he made his way to Real Madrid. The three seasons at Real Madrid were the period when Yabusele rebuilt his career. In the 2026-2026 season, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 39 EuroLeague games. With this performance, he also took on an important role in the French national team. He played a major part in France winning the silver medal at the 2026 Paris Olympics. However, the real big leap came at Panathinaikos. The Greek club wanted to strengthen both the French market and their EuroLeague ambitions by adding Yabusele to their roster. Yabusele did not disappoint this trust. He became one of the team's most consistent players. Yabusele's role at Panathinaikos is different from his role at Real Madrid. While he was more of a role player in Madrid, in Athens he is one of the team's main offensive weapons. Coach Obradovic is using his versatility in the best way. He can both stretch the defense with his outside shooting threat and be effective in rebounds with his physical play under the basket. The bond he has built with his teammates is also one of the most important factors behind this performance. 'Matthias, Moustapha, and Sylvain... They are my brothers. We understand each other very well on the court. This harmony continues off the court too. We are all focused on the same goal: the EuroLeague championship,' says Yabusele. One of the people who benefits the most from this harmony is coach Obradovic. Throughout his career, the Serbian coach has worked with players from different cultures and has managed to get the best out of each one. Yabusele is also benefiting from this experience. 'The biggest feature of Obradovic is that he correctly analyzes each player's abilities and uses them in the best way. Thanks to the trust he gives me, I feel more free. I am not afraid of making mistakes because he knows that lessons will be learned from mistakes,' Yabusele says. Panathinaikos' goal for this season is clear: to reach the Final Four in the EuroLeague and, if possible, to win the championship. Yabusele believes they can achieve this goal. 'We have achieved a very good balance as a team. We have a young and dynamic squad. Under the leadership of a coach like Obradovic, anything is possible,' he says. This new chapter in Yabusele's career is a kind of renaissance for him. It is a story that goes from being remembered as a player who could not make it in the NBA to becoming a star in one of the most important teams in the EuroLeague. This story shows how cruel but equally rewarding a sport basketball is. Regularly playing for the French national team, Yabusele won a bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup and a silver medal at the 2026 Paris Olympics. These achievements prove how valuable a player he is on the international stage. Yabusele also talked about his future goals: 'First of all, I want to win the EuroLeague championship with Panathinaikos. Then new successes with the national team. At the end of my basketball career, when I look back, I want to be able to say that I am glad I chose this path.' These words show how mature a player Yabusele is. The disappointments at the beginning of his career have strengthened him instead of discouraging him. Today, he holds a respectable position at both club and national team levels. Panathinaikos fans have also taken Yabusele to their hearts. He has become one of the most cheered names in the stands during matches at OAKA. Yabusele is doing his best in every match to be worthy of this love. In conclusion, Guerschon Yabusele's Panathinaikos adventure paints a positive picture so far for both the player and the club. In this structure under Obradovic's leadership, Yabusele is experiencing the most productive period of his career. Whether this performance will continue in the coming weeks and months will also determine Panathinaikos' fate in the EuroLeague.