Bilal Coulibaly: The Rising Star of the Wizards
While the basketball world is busy tracking the exploits of Victor Wembanyama and the promising Zaccharie Risacher, wouldn’t you know, Bilal Coulibaly has swooped in to steal the spotlight! Think of him as the surprise party crasher no one saw coming.
After just four games, Coulibaly is serving up an impressive 18.8 points per game. Now, let’s not forget that for the second time in just a week, he decided to break his own career scoring record. Against the Hawks, he casually dropped 27 points while also munching on 9 rebounds, snatching 3 steals, and even swatting down a block! Talk about multi-tasking, eh?
“Integration? More like domination!”
“I had a lot of opportunities, my teammates found me well in transition on open 3-point shots, which really put me in the rhythm. So it was quite easy to integrate myself into the game,” says Coulibaly. Right, because for the rest of us, “integrating” usually involves figuring out which end of the basketball to hold while trying not to trip over our shoelaces!
At a ripe 20 years old, Coulibaly isn’t playing around. He’s going for gold and not hesitating to pull the trigger. This is now his third consecutive game with at least 12 attempts. Now I’m no mathematician, but those numbers mean he’s absolutely game-hungry—talk about a young player with a taste for risk! With a stunning 11 out of 14 shots landing, including 3 from downtown, we’re certainly witnessing a new contender making his mark.
“Trust me, it’s all about confidence!”
Brian Keefe, the Wizards’ coach, is certainly singing Coulibaly’s praises: “We want to give him the ball more. We think he’s a creator and he can go to the rim and put a lot of pressure.” And if that doesn’t sound like the classic setup for a motivational poster, I don’t know what does! Just picture it: a serene landscape with the phrase—“Be the ball, be the pressure.”
Now, about that game against the Hawks—if only it came with a warning label! First half? Not great—he almost slipped right off the radar while Trae Young casually dropped 24 points like it was nothing. But through sheer determination (and perhaps a touch of embarrassment), he pulled it together post-break, limiting Young to just 11 points on a dreadful 3 out of 13 shooting. Talk about flipping the script! Coulibaly was like, “I see your 24 and raise you…a little more defense, my friend.”
“Trust, skills, and a dash of humor!”
And how does our young star explain his hot start? “I feel like trust is the main thing,” he mused during his virtually chaotic interview session. “For me, basketball is probably 60% basketball skills and 40% confidence. I’m very confident at the moment and I’m playing well.” It’s like he read the secret playbook titled “How to Succeed in Sports with Minimal Sweat and Lots of Charisma.” They should just give confidence a statistical category at this point!
While all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama or the beginnings of Zaccharie Risacher, Bilal Coulibaly steals the show at the start of the season.
After four games, the Wizards guard/winger is averaging 18.8 points, and for the second time in a week, he broke his career points record. For the second round against the Hawks, he scored 27 points, and added 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block!
« I had a lot of opportunities, my teammates found me well in transition, on open 3-point shots, which really put me in the rhythm. So it was quite easy to integrate myself into the game” explains Bilal Coulibaly, before discussing his progress with the ball in hand. “My dribbling has really improved, and that helps me be better on the court and play a lot easier. Then I just do what I’m supposed to do, make open shots, find my teammates, and they find me too, so it makes the game easier. »
At only 20 years old, Bilal Coulibaly is gaining more and more volume in the Wizards game, and he no longer hesitates to take his chance. This is his third game in a row with 12 or more shots. He goes for his shots, and his efficiency impresses: 11 out of 14 on shots, including 3 out of 5 from 3-point range!
“We want to give him the ball more” continues Brian Keefe. “We think he’s a creator, and he can go to the rim and put a lot of pressure. »
Basketball is 60% individual qualities and 40% confidence
Wednesday evening, hampered by mistakes in the first half, he saw Trae Young take advantage to score 24 points. After the break, Bilal Coulibaly is fairer in defense, and his size will once again annoy the leader of the Hawks, who is content with 11 points on 3 out of 13 shots. “I was just determined” replies the Frenchman. “I saw that he was hot in the first half, and I said to myself that we had to change things.”
Generally speaking, how does he explain this very good start to the season, and this ease which emerges from his game?
“I feel like trust is the main thing”estimates Bilal Coulibaly, who had the right to his “shower” during the interview. “For me, basketball is probably 60% basketball skills and 40% confidence. I’m very confident at the moment and I’m playing well. »
Bilal Coulibaly Percentage Rebounds Season Team MJ Min Shots 3pts LF Off Def Tot Pd Fte Int Bp Ct Pts 2023-24 WAS 63 27 43.5 34.6 70.2 0.9 3.2 4.1 1.7 2.2 0.9 1.4 0.8 8.4 2024-25 WAS 4 34 59.1 42.1 83.3 2.0 3.8 5.8 2.8 2.5 1.5 2.5 0.2 18.8 Total 67 28 45.0 35.3 71.8 1.0 3.2 4.2 1.8 2.2 0.9 1.4 0.7 9.1
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
% confidence—something Coulibaly seems to possess in abundance.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into this meteoric rise of Bilal Coulibaly.
**Interviewer:** Bilal, it’s been an exciting start for you this season! How do you feel about your performance so far?
**Bilal Coulibaly:** Honestly, I’m feeling really good about it! I had a lot of opportunities early on, and my teammates have been fantastic in finding me in transition. That rhythm has helped me integrate into the game seamlessly.
**Interviewer:** Breaking your scoring record twice in a week is no small feat! What does that achievement mean to you?
**Bilal Coulibaly:** It’s amazing to see the hard work pay off. Scoring 27 points against the Hawks was great, but it’s also about contributing in other ways—like rebounding and defense. It’s a team effort.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of team, Coach Brian Keefe has expressed strong trust in your abilities. How does that impact your game?
**Bilal Coulibaly:** Trust is essential. When you have the confidence of your coach and teammates, it boosts your own confidence. I feel like I can take risks, and that allows me to showcase my skills.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned confidence earlier. What role does it play in your approach on the court?
**Bilal Coulibaly:** For me, basketball is 60% skills and 40% confidence. If you’re not confident in your abilities, it’s hard to execute. I’m feeling really confident right now, and it shows in my game.
**Interviewer:** Looking forward, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
**Bilal Coulibaly:** I want to keep improving, not just as a scorer but as an all-around player. I want to help lead the team, create opportunities for my teammates, and continue to build that trust. Hopefully, we can achieve great things together!
**Interviewer:** With your talent and commitment, it’s definitely an exciting time for you and the Wizards! Thanks for sharing, Bilal, and best of luck for the rest of the season!
**Bilal Coulibaly:** Thank you! I appreciate it!
With a blend of talent, confidence, and dedication, Bilal Coulibaly seems poised to make waves in the NBA. As the season unfolds, fans will undoubtedly be eager to see how this young star continues to shine for the Wizards.
