During his most recent NBA season, Yabusele explored his options after a two-year contract with the Knicks valued at $11.7 million. While the deal appeared promising at first glance, it became clear that Yabusele did not fit the team’s long-term plans for the 2025-2026 season. He appeared in 41 games, averaging 8.9 minutes per game, while shooting 39.0% from the field and 29.4% from three-point range. He averaged 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Yabusele’s NBA journey included a trade from the Knicks to the Chicago Bulls near the trade deadline. In the process of changing his role with the team, he waived a second-year option to help the Knicks align their roster, a move that also allowed them to bring in another guard to bolster their backcourt ahead of their postseason push.
His professional path began when he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2017, where the early years of his NBA career unfolded. After parting ways with the Celtics in 2019, he spent several seasons overseas, including notable success in Europe with Real Madrid, where he contributed to title runs. He returned to the NBA later, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a veteran’s minimum contract and later joining the Knicks and Bulls in succession.
On the international stage, Yabusele has continued to develop his game, highlighted by a robust Olympic showing for France in 2024. His performance helped carve out roles on multiple teams as he sought the best opportunity to showcase his skills.
Now, with Panathinaikos, Yabusele transitions to a prominent European club, where he is expected to be among the league’s higher-paid players. His decision to move overseas underscores a path many players consider when NBA opportunities are limited or when a new, potentially more stable role presents itself abroad.
As Yabusele embarks on this next chapter, fans will be watching to see how his experience and scoring ability translate to European competition and how he contributes to Panathinaikos’ aspirations in domestic leagues and continental play.
