PARIS (France) - "MVP! MVP! MVP!" Those chants from the packed Bercy Arena were aimed at Guerschon Yabusele. And maybe it's time for France's energetic big man to get a new nickname after his performance in these Olympics.
Yabusele scored nine straight points in the third quarter of France's 73-69 victory over Germany, resulting in those MVP calls. The 28-year-old finished the game with 17 points to go with 7 rebounds and 2 assists.
"It was the team. I am not a point guard. They do the plays and find me. It was just a team effort. And at the end of the day we are happy to be in the Gold Medal Game," said Yabusele.
The power forward thrives off his energy, so the 12,454 fans gave him a major boost.
"The crowd has been amazing, playing like this in front of our fans, family, friends. The energy that we put on the court and the energy they give us back is amazing," he said.
Yabusele has bore the nickname "Dancing Bear" since being a fan favorite way back to being a rookie in the NBA for the Boston Celtics in 2017. Maybe it's time for a change.
Maybe it's time for the "Knockout King".
France fans have seen a different Yabusele since the Knockout Phase started. He totaled 25 points and 6 rebounds over 52 minutes in the three group stage games.
Then France head coach Vincent Collet called Yabusele's number for 30 minutes against Canada in the Quarter-Finals, and he responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds. And then came another big showing against the Germans.
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"Guersch is a dominant force inside. He can really shoot outside and inside. These last two games he has been the heart of our team to be honest," France veteran Evan Fournier said about Yabusele. " He's dominant. He's short for his position but he's so thick you can't move him. I'm proud of him."
Yabusele is playing in his fourth major tournament, starting with the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, where he averaged 6.3 points in helping France to the silver medal. He matched that result at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022, being a much bigger part of the team with 14.8 points. But he also was part of the disappointing 18th place finish at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Yabusele noted that France are a different team since the end of the group stage in France.
"Since the beginning of the Final Phase, we showed another face with intensity, energy and enthusiasm. When we play like that, even against the best team in the World, I think we can do it," he said.
Yabusele has no intention of slowing down.
"I feel young, I feel good, I have so much energy in me. I'm ready to give it all. My game is about energy, on offense and defense, I'm trying to help my guys," he said.
Yabusele said the energy of the crowd helps him but so does watching his teammate and fellow big man Mathias Lessort, whose game is also based heavily on energy.
I’m ready to die for my guys - Guerschon Yabusele
"When I see Mathias, I want to give everything. I’m ready to die for my guys."
Yabusele also did not shy away from saying he wants to face mighty United States in the Gold Medal Game - also to show the media in France that they should pay more attention to the home side.
"We want to beat USA. Even the French media, our media, talk more about the USA team than us. We know how good they are, we know the individual exploit they are capable of, but we won't give them anything."
And there would definitely be a chance for France with their "Knockout King".
FIBA