By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Guerschon Yabusele has been named captain of the French national basketball team, stepping into a major leadership role as the team prepares for the 2025 EuroBasket.
At 29 years old, the New York Knicks power forward becomes the new leader of a squad undergoing significant transition.
A two-time Olympic medalist, Yabusele was chosen by the coaching staff to guide a young French roster missing several key veterans. Nicolas Batum and Nando De Colo have retired from international play, while Evan Fournier, Rudy Gobert, Mathias Lessort, and Victor Wembanyama are not available for this tournament.
“I knew I was one of the veterans, but I didn’t expect it,” Yabusele admitted. “It’s an honor to be captain, even if it doesn’t change my role much on the court. I’ll have to lead by example, both on and off the floor. The key is to keep a positive attitude for the sake of the group, even if things aren’t going well personally.”
Yabusele noted the influence of former captains, particularly Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw, in shaping his approach.
“I draw on what I’ve learned from them. It’s a big responsibility, especially with a new group starting a new journey.”
France’s current squad includes seven players who have never participated in an international tournament. Yabusele believes preparing them mentally is crucial.
“We try to explain that EuroBasket is extremely tough — maybe the hardest competition internationally. From the Round of 16, every game is win or go home. It’s going to be intense, and everyone needs to be locked in and focused on winning.”
The generational shift is noticeable, with seven players under the age of 23. Yabusele joked about the difference during warm-ups.
“I said to the guys, ‘These youngsters are too fast!’ We’re in a new cycle, incredibly athletic and playing with high intensity. The coach said that’s encouraging, considering we’re just starting our preparation.”
With roster spots still up for grabs, the challenge will be selecting 12 players from a competitive pool. Yabusele remains optimistic.
“We’ve got room to grow and the potential to do something special.”