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Wizards Sophomore Reveals Sparks Hope For Fans

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Wyatt Hartman | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 7:29 AM ET

It goes without saying that the Washington Wizards’ sophomores are the foundation for the future of the franchise. The Wizards hope that Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and AJ Johnson can develop into real forces in the league. This week, those four players left fans with lots to look forward to heading into the future.

Wizard Sophomores Reveal Weight Gain Every Fan Was Hoping For

NBA media day is usually the time for offseason developments to be put on record. With that being said, Washington’s sophomore quartet gained a combined 56 pounds since last season. The weight room is so important for younger players; though basketball is technically a non-contact sport, players are often being asked to battle physically. For teenagers, especially those with naturally slight frames, building up their strength is essential to their ability to match up with veterans.

It also helps a franchise that’s trying to set a new sense of competition and discipline build that winning culture.

Alex Sarr

Sarr gained the most weight, with an impressive 19 pounds being put on since last season. Frankly, out of all the players on the Wizards roster, he needed to put on the most weight. Last season, he weighed in at just 205 pounds as a true 7-footer. He’s still as lean as a telephone pole. Nevertheless, the weight will help him be more durable and physical down low. In fact, those gains were being showcased in his offseason play.

Heavily criticized for his non-physical play as a rookie, Sarr bulking up should be a jab at all the critics moving forward. The Wizards will definitely look to put the 2024 No. 2 pick’s newfound physicality to good use.

Kyshawn George

George added “[four] pounds of muscle” this offseason (h/t Locked On Wizards) and now weighs 209 pounds.

Kyshawn George says he put on 4 lbs of muscle this past summer

— Locked On Wizards (@lockedonwizards) September 29, 2025

While his gain isn’t the biggest eye-opener on the list, he didn’t really need it to begin with. Obviously, you want your young players hitting the weights hard, but George should be a special case. He’s a hustler, rebound chaser, shot blocker, floor-spacer — everything the Wizards need him to be on the court. All in all, while he only needed to bulk a little, nine pounds is a great number for him to be at.

George’s offseason wasn’t all about getting his weight up, as he put the Wizards on notice during his Canadian FIBA campaign. He dominated all areas of the game during the AmeriCup competition, and hopefully can continue to grow his lean muscle mass throughout the next few seasons.

Bub Carrington

Carrington put on 14 pounds over the past year, going from 190 to 204. However, the 2024 No. 14 pick mentioned he wanted to drop back to around 200 for the season. In 2024-25, Carrington was by far the most durable Wizards player. In fact, he was one of the most durable in the league, as he was just one of four players to suit up for all 82 games while averaging 30+ minutes per game.

Mar 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (8) handles the ball during the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

While the weight is a great sign, Carrington’s next step for the Wizards needs to be consistency. Unlike Sarr and George, he didn’t get to play on the international stage this summer. Instead, the Wizards contingent will get to see his offseason improvement over the course of the preseason. Washington will rely heavily on Carrington, who will need to produce and facilitate much more effectively this season without Jordan Poole on the roster.

With that being said, Carrington wants to prove that he can step up and play and improve this season. Him adding that weight does demonstrate his discipline to get better and stay in shape.

AJ Johnson

Out of all the players on this list, Johnson made arguably the biggest jump. This offseason, the 20-year-old added around nine pounds of muscle and an extra half inch to his 6’5 frame (h/t Monumental Sports Network reporter Bijan Todd).

Johnson is in one of the most complex positions on the entire roster. On the one hand, he has a real opportunity to shine this season. On the flip side of that, he could easily find himself without minutes or dropping down the food chain, playing for the Capital City Go-Go, (the Wizards G League affiliate).

His athleticism can (literally) propel him far in Washington. However, he needs to prove he can become a consistent scorer with the capability to grow his game over time. While his weight gain doesn’t translate to points, it shows he’s ready to take on any task thrown his way.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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