Meet Coulibaly: The French You-Know-What of the NBA!
Oh, you haven’t met the 20-year-old whiz from France yet? Well, grab a croissant, dear reader, because we’re diving into the phenomenal world of Coulibaly, the NBA’s newest darling and the human equivalent of an espresso shot! This lad, an Olympic silver medalist with the French national team, is not just proving that France excels at more than just saying “Oh là là” or producing baguettes; he’s breaking records and capturing hearts left and right!
A Record-Breaking Start
Let’s talk about his performance, shall we? In only his second NBA season, Coulibaly has upped his game from last season’s 21 points per game to a jaw-dropping 27 points against Atlanta this week alone! That’s like going from a cozy little café to a bustling Michelin-starred restaurant, all in the span of a few matches. It’s not just a jump; it’s a vertical leap that would make Olympic pole vaulters weep with envy.
And if you thought that was just a fluke, you’d be wrong! This gem of a player opened his season with a stellar performance, throwing down an alley-oop dunk that had the crowd hollering like they’d just seen the Queen of England at a London pub. In his words—yes, he’s humble too—“I had a lot of open shots; my teammates found me well in transition.” Which is fancy talk for: “I can’t miss when I’m being fed like this!”
From Rookie to Star
Coulibaly’s impact goes beyond scoring. He’s been robust in defense, often being assigned the toughest opponent, which, considering he’s facing the likes of Trae Young, is like sending a lamb to wrestle a lion. But he’s not just surviving; he’s thriving. He recorded 9 rebounds, 3 interceptions, 1 block, and also managed to play point guard. Who knew one player could do it all? It’s almost like he was crafted by a mad scientist in a lab!
“We put him on defense against the strongest opponent every night.” – Brian Keefe, Wizards Coach
Learning from the Best
One would think that at just 20, Coulibaly is too young to be leading a charge, but he’s got wisdom beyond his years, thanks to some quality mentorship over the summer. Let’s not forget he was rubbing shoulders with giants like Nicolas Batum and Rudy Gobert. His take on the experience? “I learned a lot this summer.” Honestly, with those names, I wouldn’t be surprised if he picked up some magical basketball powers too!
Returning with a stronger grip on his ball control and a killer shot, Coulibaly is the whole package—kind of like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and realizing they’re serving your favorite dish, which just so happens to be unlimited!
Putting the Wizards Back on the Map
With the Wizards having spent the last few seasons sinking lower than a fish in a murky pond—14th out of 15 in the East last year—this young French dynamo is the beacon of hope they’ve been waiting for. The franchise has even extended Coulibaly’s contract until 2026 because let’s face it: we’re all rooting for the underdog! He’s proving that French bread might just be more than an excellent side dish—it’s a full-course meal in the basketball kitchen!
Observing his improvement, Coach Keefe stated, “We want to give him the ball more often. He’s a playmaker, he can attack the rim.” It seems this is a young man who is destined to take the NBA by storm – a storm that may possibly include whirling dervishes and maybe even a dancing cha-cha!
The Wizards: A Gleam of Hope
As the Wizards stand at a balanced 2-2 record, Coulibaly’s growing confidence is palpable. He claims, “Having won big matches increases my confidence. My good relationships with my teammates and my coach too, it makes me want to believe in myself.” This sounds rather lovely—teammates bonding, encouraging each other, basketball love stories unfolding amidst the sweat and cheers.
The NBA might just have found its new darling, and he’s as French as they come; let’s hope he doesn’t start calling his teammates “mon ami” just yet, because that could make the other guys feel a bit left out!
So whether you’re a fan of basketball, brunch, or just good old-fashioned French flair, keep your eyes peeled on Coulibaly. Because honestly, this young Frenchman is ready to serve up a game that’s hotter than a fresh baguette out of the oven!
The 20-year-old Frenchman, Olympic silver medalist with the Blues this summer, is impressing in his second NBA season. He signed a new points record Wednesday night with the Wizards.
The first four matches of the 2024-2025 financial year show the new dimension taken by the 20-year-old French winger, who has become a major player for the Wizards, always stronger in defense and with new offensive responsibilities.
His points record from last season (21 points) jumped in the 2nd game in Cleveland on Saturday (23), then again on Wednesday evening (27), during a demonstration for a second game in three days against Atlanta (133 -120).
Enough to eclipse the duel between his two compatriots heroes of the 2024 draft, Zaccharie Risacher (19 years old, No. 1, Atlanta) and Alexandre Sarr (19 years old, No. 2, Washington), although both were successful on Wednesday.
Drafted in 7th position last year
Like his Wizards, who fielded the youngest major five in their history (under 21 years old on average), Coulibaly let his enthusiasm speak from the first quarter, concluded with 11 points, including a dunk two-handed alley-oop and a long shot.
Victor Wembanyama’s former teammate at the Metropolitans 92, drafted in 7th position last year, then insisted with a new dunk and incessant activity, bringing him to 27 points (11 out of 14 shooting, 3 out of 5 from distance) , but also 9 rebounds, 3 interceptions, 1 block and 1 assist.
“I had a lot of open shots, my teammates found me well in transition”commented Coulibaly at a press conference, dark glasses on his nose.
We put him on defense against the strongest opponent every night.
Le coach des Wizards, Brian Keefe
“Compared to last season, my ball control has become much better, so it’s easier to play, I’ve worked well on that. Even during the Olympics, I worked a lot, because I didn’t play that much, I had time. I worked on my dribbling, my catch and shoot (rapid shot after receiving the ball, Editor’s note). I learned a lot this summer, surrounded by players like Nicolas Batum, who still writes to me, or Rudy Gobert.added the Frenchman, sometimes in charge of leading his team’s play.
The franchise from the federal capital, which remains at the bottom of the ranking for three seasons, the last of which finished in 14th place (out of 15) in the East, is counting on Coulibaly to rebuild itself. On Tuesday, she activated her option to automatically extend the Frenchman’s contract until 2026.
“We want to give him the ball more often. He’s a playmaker, he can attack the rim, he puts a lot of pressure, he’s good.”greeted Wizards coach Brian Keefe, who took over the team in January.
“Last year, he (Coulibaly) could already go into the racket, he didn’t always finish his actions, but now he provides better responses, he is more powerful, he knows how to finish his actions up to the circle, he does playing others, that’s what we saw in him when we brought him in.”
“We put him on defense against the strongest opponent every night. He fought well against Trae Young, despite three quick fouls. Wednesday, appreciated the technician again.
His level is reflected in the balanced record of the Wizards (2-2)
His good start to the season is due to his “trust”assures the Frenchman, whose stifling defense had already extinguished Hawks leader Trae Young on Monday (14 points, but 35 on Wednesday).
“Having won big matches increases my confidence. My good relationships with my teammates and my coach too, it makes me want to believe in myself”further indicated Coulibaly, comfortable in a franchise that has become very French-speaking with the arrivals this summer of two other young talents, Alexandre Sarr and the Swiss Kyshawn George.
His level is reflected in the Wizards’ record, balanced (2-2) after two consecutive successes against Atlanta, before challenging Miami at home on Saturday.
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Wizards coach, Brian Keefe. Coulibaly’s defensive performance has been a key aspect of his development, demonstrating his ability to match up against top-tier players in the league.
The French winger has shown significant growth in both his offensive and defensive play this season. His commitment to improving his ball control and shooting technique has paid off, allowing him to contribute more effectively to his team’s performance. Coulibaly’s ability to drive to the basket and finish strong, paired with his sharpshooting from beyond the arc, has made him a versatile threat on the court.
As the Wizards aim to turn their fortunes around, Coulibaly’s role as a burgeoning playmaker and scorer will be crucial. With the team’s young roster and the long-term commitment shown by extending Coulibaly’s contract, there is a sense of optimism that he can be a cornerstone of the franchise’s future success.
His performance against Atlanta, where he not only scored but also grabbed rebounds and contributed defensively, highlights his all-around capabilities. The Wizards hope to build on this momentum and leverage Coulibaly’s talent as they look to rise in the league standings.
Coulibaly’s continued improvement and impactful play make him a player to watch as he develops into a key figure in the NBA.
