Wiz of Awes
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Five Wizards who could break into ESPN’s Top 100 next season

By Cem Yolbulan

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Corey Kispert #24 of the Washington Wizards in action against the Cairns Taipans during the second half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Corey Kispert #24 of the Washington Wizards in action against the Cairns Taipans during the second half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Bilal Coulibaly

This one is the hardest to project. Despite having impressive Summer League and preseason performances so far, Coulibaly is still a mystery. Even though he is slated to begin the season as a starter, how well he is going to perform as a 19-year-old rookie remains a question mark.

Coulibaly already looks like he will be one of the best defenders on the team. He can guard on-ball, go over screens, and make plays as a help defender and at the rim. His athletic and physical tools pop on the court.

What will determine his place in the league hierarchy will be his offensive output this season. He will likely have low usage but if he can achieve decent efficiency while showing some on-ball creation and shooting flashes, he might climb up in these rankings.

It is likely that Coulibaly will find himself on this list sooner than later. How soon it will be will determine the Wizards’ upside as a team in the near future. Yet, it feels like next year is too soon for Coulibaly.

Jalen Williams (no. 95), Walker Kessler (no. 70), and Paolo Banchero (no. 30) are the only second-year players included in this edition. Banchero and Kessler may be too high while Wiliams too low, but they all had excellent rookie seasons last year. Expecting Coulibaly to play at a similar level to them to make next year’s list might be too much to ask for from the youngster.

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