Bilal Coulibaly completed his sophomore NBA season averaging 12.3 factors, 5.0 rebounds and three.4 assists. Though his three-point share dipped to twenty-eight.1 p.c, he proved he has the makings of a core piece for the Wizards because of his elite defensive abilities.
The seventh choose of the 2023 draft sat down with HoopsHype in Cairo, the place he was attending the Egypt Cup Closing, the Jr. NBA League Finals and serving to the Al Hassan Basis, to debate his sport, Victor Wembanyama, Eurobasket and extra.
Bilal Coulibaly: It’s, yeah, I used to be about to say it’s my first time right here. My sister’s been right here earlier than and he or she instructed me it was good, however I used to be not anticipating that truly. It’s higher than I assumed, so I prefer it.
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BC: Yeah, I’ve watched loads of him. I’ve watched loads of his video games. He’s participant. He doesn’t make any actually massive errors. He’s enjoying good basketball when he has to, he’s not forcing it. He can rating, move the ball, rebound, do something on the court docket.
BC: I’m engaged on my sport loads. I’ll give attention to my deal with and my three-point taking pictures so I can come again and really feel approach smoother and extra comfy on the court docket. I’ll be in DC, I’ll be in all probability in Dallas for a bit of bit too as a result of my company is predicated there, so I’ll be understanding with them. I’ll be in France too so anyplace I’m going I’ll be engaged on my sport.
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BC: For certain, yeah. As quickly as I stepped on the court docket in my second season, I felt like the sport slowed down a bit of bit, really loads. It was simply simpler to get to the edges, to make stops. I might learn the sport approach simpler.
BC: The Hawks video games versus Trae Younger as a result of defensively I felt like I used to be all over the place. It was some nice two-way performances.
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BC: De’Aaron Fox simply because he’s actually, actually quick, man.
BC: Rather a lot. I didn’t discuss with them, however yeah, I’ve watched loads of them. I maintain watching loads of them within the playoffs. Sadly, the Clippers are out, however I nonetheless watch Mikal Bridges. He’s accomplished an ideal job defensively. Within the first two video games in opposition to the Celtics, he had these two stops. That’s actually spectacular for a participant. The anticipation was loopy, I beloved it.
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BC: Amen Thompson will be a kind of two-way gamers, I imply he’s already confirmed it. He’s accomplished an ideal job within the playoffs. Enjoying good protection in opposition to Steph Curry shouldn’t be straightforward! Even offensively, he’s right here making baskets. He’s been the most effective gamers in Houston in his first playoffs, so it’s spectacular.
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BC: I don’t know loads about it however I simply talked to his dad and mom they usually instructed me he was feeling higher.
Are you nervous concerning the enhance in blood clot circumstances?
BC: There’s been some dangerous finish of careers like that however the guys have been previous and it was a very long time in the past. Now, the whole lot is completely different. The analysis that folks do is approach completely different. I’m certain he’ll get by means of it.
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BC: Yeah, I’m planning to go. I’ve talked with everyone within the group, and everyone agreed so there’s no downside about it.
