This is the third article in a series examining NBA scouts’ opinions about the potential and development of the Washington Wizards’ most prominent young players. Part 1: Alex Sarr | Part 2: Bub Carrington WASHINGTON — Within the opening three minutes of the new regular season, Bilal Coulibaly offered a tantalizing glimpse of the player the Washington Wizards hope he will become. The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum dribbled the basketball on the right wing, with Coulibaly guarding closely.
Tatum sped forward, hoping to drive into the lane, but Coulibaly matched him stride-for-stride and cut off his path to the basket. Tatum decelerated, delivered a bump to Coulibaly and stepped back, rising for a jumper from just beyond the foul line. Coulibaly elevated, too, challenging the shot with an outstretched right hand high in the air.
The ball clanged off the front of the rim. Forty seconds later, Coulibaly was the attacking player. He dribbled the ball on the perimeter, with Boston’s Jaylen Brown defending, blocking a path to the hoop.
Coulibaly sped forward, absorbed contact from Brown and then drove to the basket, leaving Brown in the dust. Coulibaly elevated and scored on a scoop layup off the glass. Advertisement Let’s recap, shall we? First, Coulibaly halted the drive of a first-team All-NBA player, forcing an errant midrange shot.
Then, Coulibaly beat one of the league’s better wing defenders off the dribble for a bucket. Impressive. That is the vision the Wizards�.
