Former NBA Player Fined for Not Looking at Chinese Flag During Anthem in China

Former NBA player Guerschon Yabusele has been fined for bowing his head and not looking at the Chinese flag during the national anthem before a game on Dec. 6.

Yabusele, who plays for the Chinese Basketball Association’s (CBA) Nanjing Monkey Kings, was fined 10,000 yuan ($1,422) by the basketball association, CNN reported.

“I have the same routine, I’ve been doing this my whole career and I wanted to apologize for the people that took it Personnal [sic] because it was not my point,” Yabusele told TMZ Sports. “I will show my respect during the Chinese national anthem and keep my head up for now on, Love you guys.”

The former Boston Celtics was born in France and had a brief career in the NBA from 2016 to 2019. He was waived by the team this year, after which he joined his current team in China.

The fine comes amid controversy of forcing NBA players to have to stand for the Communist flag when they play their games in the country, which the NBA desperately wants. In order for that to happen, players cannot protest the Chinese government in any way. (Read more from “Former NBA Player Fined for Not Looking at Chinese Flag During Anthem in China” HERE)

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