Just a year ago, Washington Wizards star Bilal Coulibaly was able to walk around anywhere he wanted to, without anyone paying any attention to the 6-foot-8 guard. However, due to his frame, people might have assumed he hooped rarely without anyone bothering the young man. Those were the good days. After being drafted by the Wizards, Coulibaly’s life has seen a complete turnaround. Such is the life of the 20-year-old now living in the United States and playing in the NBA.

The Wizards are amid a rebuild but their sophomore guard Bilal Coulibaly seems to be hitting his strides with the team. The 20-year-old is proving why the Wizards made a smart move by picking him as the 7th overall pick in last season’s NBA Draft. He might not be the best player for wizards in the future but he surely is on the right trajectory and that’s more than what a major portion of Washington’s roster can say. Let’s get to know more about the rising star as we take a closer look at his roots.

What is Bilal Coulibaly’s nationality? Where is the Washington Wizards forward from?

Born in Saint-Cloud, France Bilal Coulibaly grew up in Courbevoie where his actual hooping journey began to take shape. Coulibaly is the son of Makan and Emma, both of whom come of Malian descent making Coulibaly of Malian descent as well. He comes from a working family with his father being a banker and his mother a childcare provider. The couple has supported the Wizard youngster at every step of his journey.

Bilal did not pick up a basketball until he was ten. Prior to his attraction toward basketball, he inclined to soccer but once his local team ran out of spots, he began playing basketball and has never looked back since. By the age of thirteen, Coulibaly moved to Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitan 92’s youth system where actually started to develop his game.

Following his rapid growth from age fifteen to seventeen, it quickly became clear he was special and Mets coach Vincent Collet took notice of the fact. Furthermore, Coulibaly then began playing on the Mets U-21 team and during the 2021 season, he put on a dominant display earning him a spot in the senior team where he joined the likes of another French sensation, Victor Wembanyama.

Has Bilal Coulibaly played for the French national team? Did he compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Bilal Coulibaly for the first time suited up for his home nation at the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship where he was amongst the breakout stars. Additionally, at the tournament, Coulibaly averaged 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and one assist per game as France finished in fifth place. After his rookie season in the NBA, Coulibaly turned his attention to the 2024 Paris Olympics where he became the youngest member to be part of the French squad.

Considered the “X factor” by his teammate Victor Wembanyama, the 20-year-old did not take this opportunity for granted. Coulibaly alongside his former teammate at Mets Wembanyama and veteran Rudy Gobert made for a terrifying defensive unit. Despite his limited game time, Coulibaly managed to average 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds at the tournament where he and the French team earned a silver medal.