Former Sixers convinced Guerschon Yabusele to sign with Philadelphia

Guerschon Yabusele has returned to the NBA after spending the last five seasons playing in Europe. His performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics showcased the improvements to his game. As such, the Philadelphia 76ers, who needed additional depth in the front court, brought him back to the United States.

During a recent interview with Adam Aaronson of the PhillyVoice, Yabusele admitted that two former Sixers helped convince him to join Nick Nurse's team.

“My friend, Timothé Luwawu, played here," Yabusele said. "...Timothé, especially, when I was here before when he was here, he showed me a little bit of the city. When the rumor came on the internet, I talked to Nicolas [Batum], and he was telling me how good Nick Nurse was going to be as a coach, and the city, the love, the fans and everything. He was telling me how good of a spot it would be for me to come here." 

Interestingly, Yabusele isn't the first player to join the Sixers on the recommendation of former players this summer. Former NBA journeyman Quincy Pondexter recently told the "#thisleague UNCUT" podcast that he helped lure Paul George to the City of Brotherly Love at the start of the summer.

"Joel's one of my best friends," Pondexter said. "And so how Joel got Paul's number to start trying to pitch it to him was through me. ...I don't even know how much the Sixers know this, but quietly one of the biggest — I hate to say this — one of the biggest pieces in that was me being like: 'Yo, Joel, you got to keep recruiting [George], you gotta try to get him, you gotta get him, you gotta talk to him, you gotta, you know, whatever it is."

With so many former NBA talents speaking highly of the Sixers, the organization is clearly doing something right. The franchise's reputation has directly led to two new signings this summer, which could help them pursue a championship in the upcoming season.

If Yabusele thrives under Nurse's tutelage this year, he could prove himself to be a steal and potentially earn a longer-term deal. And who knows, he may be the next veteran recommending the franchise somewhere down the line.