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Washington Wizards: Rookie Bilal Coulibaly is already impressing the team

By Cem Yolbulan

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Bilal Coulibaly arrives prior to the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Bilal Coulibaly arrives prior to the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /
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The 7th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Bilal Coulibaly is already making a good impression on his new team. The Washington Wizards coaching staff and players are raving about the 18-year-old rookie ahead of the Las Vegas Summer League.

The early returns on Coulibaly are very positive. Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington talked to the Wizards’ summer league coach Landon Tatum and Coulibaly during the training camp, and it is clear that the primary focus for the Wizards in Coulibaly’s development is going to be on the defensive end.

Tatum said, “Since he’s been here, he’s been great on the floor. He asks questions and does everything you want. He’s got great length and a lot of versatility on offense to handle the ball and come off [dribble hand-offs] and stuff like that.”

Coulibaly will be given an opportunity to display what he can do with the ball offensively at the Summer League. Along with Johnny Davis, he will be one of the main shot creators on the team.

Yet, the coaching staff is emphasizing that for Coulibaly, it all starts with the defense. Tatum added,

"“If we go out there and Bilal is locking up the best guy and he’s forcing the other team’s offensive player to take a bunch of shots to get a bunch of points, he’s done his job. For us, we want to make sure we’re emphasizing that with him; defense first”"

That makes sense, considering that his primary role with the Washington Wizards during the 2023-24 season will also be as a wing defender.

And it looks like Coulibaly has his teammate’s approval on that end already, with Johnny Davis talking about how good of a one-on-one defender Bilal already is.

https://twitter.com/chasedcsports/status/1676638410214178834?s=20

Bilal Coulibaly also mentioned how Davis and he are already communicating a lot, with Davis telling him about his experiences so far in the league. This is great to see for the Wizards, who have lofty expectations from the duo. Summer League in Vegas will be an excellent opportunity to see the duo in action. Let’s hope Coulibaly is able to showcase his lockdown defense there as well.

The Washington Wizards Summer League team plays their first game on Saturday, July 8 against Indiana at 8 pm EST.

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