Washington Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly broke out onto the scene around this time last year.
Teams that were scouting eventual No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama when he was with Metropolitans 92 began to notice a crafty playmaker slinking around defenses. That same player would often create game-changing defensive plays. His averages, save for a 16-game stretch in the LNB Espoirs league, weren’t why he was drafted seventh overall. The 19 year old managed that feat through the combination of youth, physical tools, and two-way upside.
That said, the Wizards didn’t play to the strengths that he displayed to get drafted. Wizards former head coach Wes Unseld Jr., now an advisor for the organization, saw fit to put Coulibaly in a 3-and-D role. Coulibaly performed admirably in a role he wasn’t comfortable with, shooting 34.6 percent from deep. More than two-fifths (42.8 percent) of his field goal attempts were 3s.
Bilal Coulibaly Reveals Offseason Plans
Coulibaly’s rookie campaign ended early after he fractured his wrist in mid-March.
By then, interim head coach Brian Keefe had taken over for Unseld. However, despite Keefe being well-regarded by the Wizards organization for his ability to develop players, even more of Coulibaly’s shots were coming from beyond the arc (49.3 percent) with him behind the gameplan.
Looking ahead to his first NBA offseason, the Saint-Claude native revealed what would he like to improve upon during the team’s annual exit interviews.
“This offseason,” Coulibaly says, “I’m trying to improve on my shooting, getting my shot up a little bit quicker” (per Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network).
“Creating my own shot, too,” he continues, “so being able to dribble the ball a little bit more and better. Handle the ball better. That would be a good part.”
To Coulibaly’s point, a quicker release would benefit him.
In and of itself, a quick shooting release doesn’t mean that he’ll be any more or less accurate. However, it often took Coulibaly a bit of time to set his feet and get his shoulders squared. Him catching-and-shooting in as close to one motion as possible may lend itself to his improved efficiency. Comparing his catch-and-shoot 3-point percentage (33.9) to pull-up 3-point percentage (43.8) last season lends itself to that possibility. At the very least, it demonstrates greater comfort with 3-point attempts in general.
Creating His Own Shots
The most exciting part of Coulibaly’s plans is his desire to improve his ball-handling.
Nobody is expecting him to turn into Kyrie Irving with the ball in his hands. However, as Coulibaly notes, improving his ability to create his own shot requires him to evolve as a ball-handler. As a rookie, he was essentially only able to attack in a straight line, going north-south. When attacking closeouts, this is okay. When trying to get into the lane in any other situation, it’s not ideal.
With that said, what makes Coulibaly’s offseason plan more enthralling is that his off-the-dribble playmaking was his greatest offensive skill leading into the draft. Whether creating shot opportunities for himself or others, he had a knack for it. An instinctive feel. With the Wizards, he may not be needed for much facilitating. However, his passing, feel, and IQ will enhance their below-average offense. They don’t necessarily need him to average any particular amount either. Nonetheless, he can average closer to 15 points per game than 10 points per game next season if he’s more than just a spot-up shooter.
This is what the Wizards should have been looking to get out of Coulibaly the entire time though. It makes no sense to try to transform an on-ball playmaker into a 3-point specialist, exclusively. Frankly, it’s a waste of the lottery pick.
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