Media day for the Washington Wizards was yesterday, offering NBA fans a first look and an opportunity to listen to the team. Among a team full of new acquisitions, Jordan Poole is one of the most fascinating as a young star expected to take the reins of the offense. It didn’t take long for those in attendance to get a sense of how Poole is becoming a leader for the new-look Wizards.
Jordan Poole is taking young players under his wing
The media heard from several members of the Wizards, young and old. One of those was the 2023 1st round pick, Bilal Coulibaly. Coulibaly demonstrated his massive potential during his time with the Wizards in Las Vegas for the Summer League. Some NBA scouts even think “the sky’s the limit” with him as a young prospect.
During his time at the podium, Coulibaly talked about the players who have been helpful as he’s acclimated to life in the NBA, with one in particular standing out:
Bilal Coulibaly says Jordan Poole moved his name next to his in the locker room and has become a mentor to him.
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) October 2, 2023
Strong leadership from Poole🔥
For a rookie like Coulibaly, having a player like Poole who was recently in a similar position could be extremely beneficial towards his development as a talented wing in the NBA. Poole learned from some of the most prolific players in the NBA in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson en route to winning an NBA championship and averaging 20.4 points per game last season.
Having a locker next to a player like Poole will give Coulibaly the chance to ask questions and develop a strong relationship that will ultimately help in his ascent to being a key piece for the Wizards. D.C. fans could be witnessing the beginning of a young dynamic duo for the first time in years. Sure, things will take time to come to fruition, but this is a great start.
On the other hand, this shows that Poole is taking his new role with the Wizards seriously and is already showcasing leadership qualities that will benefit the team long term. Poole is still young but wants to help a young player much like himself during his first couple of seasons in the league. Having one of your best players in Poole taking the reins in assisting the development of the team’s young talent is instrumental in the long-term success of the franchise.
Later, during his own time with the media, Poole expressed his long-term goals for the Wizards. While games still need to be played (and hopefully, won), having a team with a clear direction as well as a young star focused on the growth of the team is paramount in the ascension of the team over the next few years.
“I think we’re building something special here.” - Jordan Poole, who adds the players want to help make D.C. an attractive place for others around the league. pic.twitter.com/KFSWYTVG1W
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) October 2, 2023
Although young himself, Poole could help turn the page for a Wizards team that’s looking for a new strategy to become a respected contender each year. This is a small step but could be the first domino in a long line to get things moving for a team and fanbase that’s been craving a winning standard for a long time.
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