Celtics’ first round pick Guerschon Yabusele will reportedly be stashed in China next season
The Celtics will retain the NBA rights on the 20-year-old French forward while he plays overseas.
Celtics forward Guerschon Yabusele will be the second player in the team’s 2016 draft class to be stashed overseas for the 2016-17 season, according to a new report in the Boston Globe. A league source told the Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach that the 20-year-old forward has agreed to a one-year deal with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association that could be worth up to $1.5 million.
Former NBA star Yao Ming played for the Shanghai Sharks for several seasons before entering the NBA and he currently serves as the team president and owner after purchasing the franchise in 2009.
The Celtics will still maintain the NBA rights on Yabusele after selecting him with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-7 big man suited up for eight summer league games for Boston in Utah and Las Vegas in early July. He averaged 8.2 points and 6 rebounds per contest and shot 49 percent from the field. The team was reportedly undecided as recently as last week on whether to keep him in Boston next year or stash him overseas for some seasoning.
The Celtics’ No. 23 overall pick, Ante Zizic, will play overseas next year as well in Croatia. Without Yabusele and Zizic taking up roster spots, the Celtics currently have 12 players signed to guaranteed contracts. That number will likely rise to 13 once No. 3 overall pick Jaylen Brown officially inks his rookie deal.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com