LeBron James’ detractors have a new favorite basketball player: French national team forward Guerschon Yabusele.
The former Boston Celtics prospect pulled down a giant one-handed dunk over James in the first half of Saturday’s final in the men’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Now a star for Spain’s Real Madrid, the 6-foot-4 Yabusele ignited the host country by driving to the baseline late in the second quarter and dunking in style over the graying 39-year-old James.
The dunk cut the favorite’s lead to 40-35 and sparked a huge celebration from his teammates. James, for his part, found himself in a completely unfamiliar position when he was sent onto the court.
Of course, James would have the final say, as he would be named tournament MVP after Team USA’s 98-87 victory over France.
LeBron James was left out of a massive dunk by Guerschon Yabusele
Yabusele’s teammates went wild after his dunk over James, which cut the U.S. lead to five.
In the end, the United States would go into the break leading 49-41, with James adding seven points and five assists.
Yabusele, a former first-round NBA Draft pick, was selected 16th overall in 2016 by the Boston Celtics.
He played two seasons for Boston, receiving limited playing time, before heading to China with the Nanjing Monkey Kings.
Yabusele subsequently joined ASVEL in France before moving to Real Madrid in 2021.
France came into the game having never won an Olympic basketball gold medal, while the United States was seeking its fifth gold in the men’s category.