Drafted seventh, the former Metropolitans 92 player impressed with his defensive abilities during preseason matches with the Washington Wizards.
It’s back to school on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday on the NBA floors in the United States. The US basketball regular season resumes this Tuesday, October 24, with fourteen French people who will set foot on the American courts this season, including two newcomers. There is of course Victor Wembanyama, drafted number one at the San Antonio Spurs and expected to be the new superstar of the orange ball. But there is also Bilal Coulibaly, ex-teammate of “Wemby” at the Metropolitans 92 in France and now a player for the Wizards, the Washington franchise. The winger will make his big debut in the “Big League” on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, against the Indiana Pacers.
The young man was drafted in seventh position during the last high mass of US basketball, which makes him the second best drafted French player, behind Wembanyama and tied with Killian Hayes. And during his pre-resumption press conference, Bilal Coulibaly appeared wearing a jersey bearing the number 0, the same one he had at Levallois. He also showed the same smile as usual. Ultimately, only the language changed since it was in English that he paid tribute to his former coach. “Last season helped me a lot. I played for a great coach, Vincent Collet. He’s the coach of the French team. He taught me new things. It was a great experience”he confided to the press.
At 19 years old, the little 1.99 meter Frenchie talks enthusiastically about his new team the Washington Wizards. “It’s going pretty well. The teammates are there to help me”he replies in French before interrupting himself. “Here, I’m starting to put English wordshe laughs. The teammates are there to help me. My family is there. They go back and forth and frankly, I adapt quickly.”
Good in defense, room for improvement in attack
It is above all for his defensive qualities that the Frenchman stood out during preseason matches with the Wizards. Four interceptions and a counter against the Hornets, three interceptions against the Knicks, spectacular counterattacks against Toronto… Coulibaly has made a name for himself and is starting the season without pressure. With a playing time of 20 to 28 minutes per match, he still struggles a little in the offensive phases. He averaged 6 points per game, with a high of 12 points against the Hornets. Above all, the Frenchman says he is very impatient to meet his friend and compatriot Victor Wembanyama on the floor.
“I can’t wait to meet Victor Wembanyama, to play against him. We’re going to really enjoy playing.”
Bilal Coulibalyat a press conference
So, does he have any goals for this first season in the NBA? “Just developing my game, being the best version of myself at the end of the year”, he lists. Last question from a journalist: “What do you miss most about the United States?” “Mom’s cooking”replies Bilal Coulibaly, all smiles.