By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Guerschon Yabusele has returned to the EuroLeague after his NBA stint, joining Panathinaikos with ambitions extending beyond basketball: he wants his new teammates to learn French.
The French forward joked about the growing French-speaking contingent in Athens, mentioning fellow newcomer Brancou Badio.
“Badio speaks French, so there will be plenty of rooms where we’ll be speaking French. We need to get everyone else speaking it too. I’m French, and I’m happy to play with my friend. Some of the others also speak French, so we already have a connection.”
Yabusele also shared his first impressions of his new surroundings.
“It’s nice here. We’re enjoying ourselves on our second day. We’re still learning and working, but we’re also looking forward to finishing the day and heading home.”
Asked how Panathinaikos compares with an NBA organization, Yabusele praised the club’s facilities and support system.
“Panathinaikos is a high-level team with a high-level organization. We come in and have breakfast and lunch, they provide our meals and medical care, and the staff is there for anything we need. It’s a top-level organization.”
He also spoke about working with head coach Zeljko Obradovic.
“He’s a very open person. From our first conversations on the court, he told me to speak to him without hesitation. He wants constant communication so that everything stays on the right track.”
Finally, Yabusele addressed captain Kostas Sloukas’ comments about the importance of respect.
“I don’t like making promises. What I can guarantee is that I’ll give 100 percent in every game, in every role, and fight hard for this jersey. In Greece, everyone lives and breathes basketball. We need to respect one another, but above all, the fans and the club. I can’t wait for the first game and the energy we’ll get from the stands.”
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