Metropolitans 92, known because of Victor Wembanyama, had churned out another player for whom they’re getting all the attention out there. That’s right, the French league had bid adieu to Bilal Coulibaly in 2023. This French shooting guard is now back with the Washington Wizards for his second season. He was drafted as the 7th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers but was then traded. And it’s safe to say that no one has lowered the standards for Wizards guard heading into his second NBA season.

The hooper shared that he feels significantly improved after a promising rookie year, which hinted at his potential. The Wizards, currently 0-2, see the 6-foot-8 Bilal Coulibaly as a versatile guard capable of consistently defending the top perimeter threats from opposing teams, while also developing as a promising playmaker. In the two initial games of the season, he has shown exactly that.

Coulibaly was born in Saint-Cloud, France, and grew up in Courbevoie, France. He was first attracted to football, but when his local basketball team ran out of players, Coulibaly turned up and never looked back. In Courbevoie, he polished his game under the guidance of his first mentor and head coach, Manu De Carvalho. At 13, he joined the youth program of Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, where he continued to enhance his game until a significant growth spurt altered his path.

Between the ages of 15 and 17, during France’s lockdown because of the COVID pandemic, the young hooper experienced an eight-inch increase in height, going from 5-foot-6 to 6-foot-3. Since he wasn’t participating in competitive basketball during this period, Bilal Coulibaly had the opportunity to adapt to his new height and find his rhythm.

Bilal Coulibaly was in Victor Wembanyama’s shadow?

After his growth spurt, Coulibaly transformed into a significantly different and better player, a fact that quickly caught the attention of Mets head coach Vincent Collet. He joined the U21 team for the 2021 season, where he played exceptionally well. During the 2022-23 season, he continued with the U21 squad, but after posting impressive averages of 21.9 points, 2.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game in the LNB Espoirs competition, he earned a promotion to the senior team, joining notable players like Victor Wembanyama!

This wasn’t their first time teaming up; the pair had previously won the U13 French championship together in 2017. Reunited, Coulibaly and Wemby showcased excellent chemistry on the court, causing their NBA draft prospects to soar. While scouts flocked to observe Victor’s unique ability, Bilal consistently found ways to shine, demonstrating his defensive skills and clear offensive potential.

Even the 2024 Rookie of the Year was all praise for his compatriot back in the day. “He is our X factor, An all-terrain weapon, he can posterise a player and on the very next play block him. Players keep on underestimating him because he is young…They go for a layup, thinking they are safe and they get annihilated. Every game he does something crazy. I think he is the player I’m looking for the most on the court,” said Victor Wembanyama while they were playing together for the Mets.

Is the Wizards’ Coulibaly the next big thing?

In his debut season, Coulibaly played in 63 games, averaging 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game, facing the typical challenges that come with being a rookie. As one of the league’s youngest players, the organization emphasized the need for patience while he offered glimpses of his promising talent. Notably, on October 30, 2023, he made history by becoming the youngest player to start a game for the Wizards just months after turning 19.

While consistency was a struggle for Coulibaly during the season, his standout moments sparked optimism. On February 9, 2024, he achieved a personal best of 21 points against the eventual NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, sinking four three-pointers, pulling down 8 rebounds, and recording 2 steals.

Although he was still acclimating to the NBA’s speed and intricacies, his defensive instincts and potential were evident. He finished in the top ten among rookies for both steals and blocks, also ranking among the top small forwards in blocks. On January 21, against the Denver Nuggets, he set a career-high with 4 blocks, which now has been broken.

Bilal Coulibaly is already proving himself early in his second season, setting a career-high with 23 points in the Wizards’ 135-116 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at Capital One Arena. “The first game, he got into the paint and was able to attack and play for his teammates. Today, shots were open. He took them,” Coach Brian Keefe said about his performance.

Bilal Coulibaly’s development in his three-point shooting and his eagerness to take those shots will be something to look out for. He began the previous season strong from beyond the arc but struggled after the All-Star break.

Defenses regarded him as a non-threat from deep, which congested his driving lanes. If he can prompt defenders to close out more aggressively, it could create additional driving opportunities for a player who possesses more than enough athleticism to capitalize on those chances.