Gerson Yabusele gave an interview on the “Pick & Roll” show on Magenta Sport’s subscription channels. The French power forward/center for Panathinaikos spoke about his decision to join the “Greens,” his NBA career, his collaboration so far with Željko Obradović, and also touched on the NBA Europe initiative.
Here is what he said in detail:
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
On his decision to play for Panathinaikos: “It’s one of the best clubs and one of the best teams in the EuroLeague. I came here to play under the guidance of one of the top coaches in the league, if not the best. I’m on a high-level team that’s aiming for the top, and I never take the fans’ support for granted.
I never imagined my career would turn out this way. All of this is crazy to me—in a good way—and I try to stay grounded and keep working. As long as my family is doing well, I’m doing well, too.”
On his NBA career: “I’ve had some amazing experiences. Every fan and every city was different. Seeing all those stars in New York was impressive, and the experience in Boston was exceptional. I tip my hat to the Celtics fans. The same goes for Philadelphia, where the fans showed us tremendous love, and for Chicago, where the fans were there to support us.”
On whether Panathinaikos resembles any other team: “No team compares to those in the NBA. I would say, however, that Celtics fans have quite a lot in common with Panathinaikos fans when it comes to colors, culture, and the fans themselves. There are similarities, but both sides have their own distinct character.”
On NBA Europe: “As for NBA Europe, I think it’s a positive development, since the NBA is the top market. Why shouldn’t we aim for greater interest, exposure, and financial benefits? I may not like talking about this topic, but it’s a comprehensive package that can offer a lot to everyone.
You’ll have the opportunity to play in some of Europe’s most exciting cities, such as London. I hope this initiative moves forward and that there will be a partnership between the EuroLeague and the NBA, because otherwise it will be very difficult to make it happen.”
*photo source: KYPE
