Guerschon Yabusele’s path to establishing himself in the NBA has been far from straightforward. After being released by the Boston Celtics in 2019, he returned to France to refine his skills. During this period, he encountered the young French phenom Victor Wembanyama and admits that his first impression raised some physical concerns. Despite Wembanyama’s exceptional height and skill set, Yabusele worried about the player’s thin frame and how it would hold up in the NBA.
Concerns About Physical Strength Amidst Rising Potential
Victor Wembanyama has been admired since his early teens for his rare combination of size and agility, capturing the attention of scouts everywhere. Still, many doubted how his slender build would translate against the physicality of the NBA. Yabusele voiced this worry clearly on The Roommates Show:
“I was like, he’s really, really skinny. But what impressed me was the skills,” —Guerschon Yabusele, NBA Player
Although skeptical at first, Yabusele recognized that the strength issue was something Wembanyama could overcome with proper development and conditioning.
Prediction of Physical Growth and NBA Readiness
Despite his initial reservations, Yabusele expressed confidence that Wembanyama’s physique would evolve as he progressed. He anticipated that the demands of professional training would transform the young athlete’s body, saying:
“I was like, I know he’s going to put on some muscle. And I was like, when he’s going to come into the league, they’re going to change his body. It’s not going to stay like this. So, I kind of knew this was coming,” —Guerschon Yabusele, NBA Player
Yabusele’s forecast proved accurate, as Wembanyama recently reported gaining about 30 pounds since joining the NBA. Initially weighing around 215 pounds, he now tips the scales at roughly 245 pounds, signifying significant physical growth since his debut.
Comparisons to Other Players and Health Challenges
This physical transformation draws parallels to players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who entered the NBA with a lean frame and gradually built a powerful physique capable of dominating physically at all levels. Like Giannis, Wembanyama’s future success depends on maintaining his health, a factor complicated by his recent struggles with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, which ended his season prematurely. He remains sidelined, still awaiting clearance to resume contact play.
Future Prospects and Impact on Basketball Career
While early doubts surrounded Wembanyama’s weight, it appears that these concerns are becoming less significant due to his ongoing physical development and the NBA’s rigorous training environment. Yabusele, who teammates with Wembanyama on the French National Team ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, has also seen his own stock rise, securing a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers following his improved performance. As Wembanyama continues to add strength, those like Yabusele may see him as an increasingly unstoppable force in the league, perhaps even wishing they had pursued NBA opportunities aligned with Wembanyama’s trajectory, such as with the San Antonio Spurs.