USA TODAY Sports

Starting early in life and getting a head start tends to benefit you for the future and works in your favor as well. We see it in school from middle school to even college. There are times when a student is highly intelligent and is able to take advanced honor classes. Doing so tends to pay off in the end. When they’re graduating college or even high school, they get to graduate with honors. That looks good on one’s resume. 

Bilal Coulibaly has that same feeling and vibe with his Basketball Career. He was already playing overseas in France. He was just a young man playing amongst grown men. In fact, he was so talented, he was playing alongside Victor Wembanyama. We know how good he is so that tells you a lot right there.

Bilal has just been named to participate for the NBA All Star Weekend events as he was named to the Rising Star team. This may be just the beginning for Bilal Coulibaly.

Bilal Coulibaly is in the perfect situation in Washington with the Wizards. He is coming off the bench. He doesn’t have a lot of pressure on him. He is a defensive minded player but seems to be getting better and better offensively as well which should be scary for the league.

Early on, he may have reminded you of former Wizard Caron Butler. He too was an All Star as well who played on both ends of the floor. Now, he is beginning to remind us all of perhaps a Superstar. He may be reminding you of a max player who has won multiple championships in this league now, Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi started his career with the San Antonio Spurs coming off the bench as well. He too was a defensive minded player first and foremost who grew into his offensive game. The Wizards are happy with their selection of Bilal Coulibaly.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Hurricanes wear down Capitals, rally late for OT win
Watch: Marlins, Braves, Royals all deliver walk-off wins
Insider reveals odd man out in Browns' QB room
Watch: Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton stuns Cavaliers with incredible game-winning play
Spurs HC Mitch Johnson receives multiyear commitment from team
Oilers get good news and bad news on Mattias Ekholm
Former Raiders HC makes his return to football
Packers release young WR after rookie mini camp
Warriors owner makes clear statement about Jimmy Butler
Fan sues NFL for $100M over Shedeur Sanders falling in draft
Celtics' injury report for Game 2 vs. Knicks offers positive, negative updates
Inter Milan defeats Barcelona, advances to final in all-time Champions League classic
Red Sox manager answers whether Rafael Devers could play first base
Dodgers to place top-hitting OF on injured list
Big news emerges about Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty
Jaguars set to 'fight' over use of Travis Hunter?
Thunder GM Sam Presti named Executive of the Year
Notre Dame scheduling update could spell end of historic USC rivalry
Michael Strahan, Eli Manning could enter into unexpected competition
NBC Sports makes questionable decision for 2025-26 NBA production

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.