Reactions to Wizards Selecting Bilal Coulibaly
The Washington Wizards may have new energy in the front office but they seem to still be full of surprises. After making several trades this week and stacking future draft picks, the Wizards put some of their return in use via a trade with the Indiana Pacers to get forward Bilal Coulibaly from France.
Inside the Wizards staff writer David Harrison noted that for the most part, Coulibaly was a surprise pick: “As they set out to land a future star to help get the post-Bradley Beal era started, it looked like either Cason Wallace of Kentucky or Anthony Black from Arkansas would be headed to the Wizards. Perhaps the Wizards would have gone with Black if he was available, but the guard was off the board with the sixth pick heading to the Orlando Magic. Washington either pivoted to trade for the second forward off the board or went after the guy they wanted all along.”
Coulibaly played with Victor Wembanyama on the Metropolitan 92s in France last season. Coulibaly who did not play much during the first half of the season but his stock began to rise on pre-Draft boards after he helped guide his team to the finals against Monaco. He also impressed scouts during individual workouts.
Draft experts are calling Coulibaly a “high risk, high reward” player. He is physical and athletic but still very raw. However, Coulibaly has tremendous upside.
The Wizards were willing to take the risk and although there are mixed reactions from fans, most can see Coulibaly’s future potential.
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