‘Whiz Kid’ on the verge of a breakthrough as Trae Young prepares to make his Wizards debut

ByNBAUSA



WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington Wizards played one of the most dramatic games of their season in Monday’s 123-118 loss to the Houston Rockets, who included the ejection of Tree Young. But third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly’s (9-16, 5-7 3-point) season-high 23 points was the most important aspect of the night for Washington’s development.

The 21-year-old told ClutchPoints after the game what helped him improve his shooting recently.

“I’m just getting more reps, I’m out there more,” he said. “I’m finding my rhythm, and yes, just my work.”

Coulibaly’s recent rise in shooting efficiency coincides with his healthiest stretch of the season. The 6-foot-7, 195-pounder has played in 15 of the Wizards’ last 16 games after missing multiple contests in each month from October through January. He has struggled offensively during this latter stretch, shooting 41.7% from the field in January and 29.6% from 3-point range in November. However, he posted a 46% clip from the field in February (33.3% 3-pointers).

Head coach Brian Keefe was asked whether that improvement is due to more repetitions or a specific change such as his shooting form.

“I’m not going to go into specifics about those things, but you know, he’s diligent in his craft, he works on concrete things,” he said. “It’s really intentional, and you have to put in the time, and he does all of that.”

While Keefe kept the details to himself, Coulibaly’s form now looks smoother than ever. For example, the native Frenchman’s shot was separated in this practice video from October 18, as it he didn’t always let the ball go at the top of his jump.

However, Monday’s game was a different story. The clip below features Coulibaly shooting with a fluid motion and without a layup, as he hit a 3-pointer off the dribble after dropping the ball at the top of his jump shot.

The eye test shows that Coulibaly has made the necessary changes to his mechanics, which could change the trajectory of his career. By this point, the two-time rising star has established himself as a defensive specialist with superior athleticism, as he is known for his explosive dunks. But his field goal percentage decreased each season, as he shot 43.5% as a rookie before dropping to 42.1% last year and 41.9% this year. Additionally, his three-point percentage dropped from 34.6 as a rookie to 28.1 last season and is 30.4% this year. This made him offensive.

Injuries played a role, with Coulibaly sidelined in March 2024 with a fractured right wrist and again last March with a hamstring strain. On top of that, the 2023 No. 7 overall pick had surgery on his thumb in September after tearing a ligament while playing for France at EuroBasket, which forced him to miss the first four games of the season. He also had other minor illnesses that caused him to miss time.

It’s hard for a player to settle into a rhythm and thrive when he’s constantly injured, but if Koulibaly continues to stay healthy and effective offensively, he’ll make a strong case for a long-term role ahead of his first extension-eligible offseason.

Young, who will make his Wizards debut on Thursday at home against the Utah Jazz, Koulibaly should also get more open looks because of his offensive weight. If the latter takes advantage of the opportunity, he could finish the season with the best shooting percentage of his career.

Trae Young, Kevin Durant headline an entertaining Wizards-Rockets contest

Young didn’t play Monday, but he made his presence felt when he was ejected for taking to the floor in street clothes while Washington rookie Jameer Watkins and Houston forward Taree Eason got into an altercation. Young was sticking out for Watkins, as Eason pushed him to the ground moments earlier.

The fans cheered for Young as he entered the tunnel, and he reported on the incident on social media after the game.

“Don’t expect me to get kicked out too many times DC 😂 .. but I definitely bring that energy and competitiveness when I come back for my brothers,” he said.

Although Young broke the rules by taking the court as an inactive player, he showed that he cared about his teammates. Additionally, the former All-NBA honoree announced via social media on Tuesday that he will not be suspended ahead of Thursday’s debut.

In addition, Rockets superstar and DC native Kevin Durant had 30 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3-point) with seven rebounds in 37 minutes on his night. The 37-year-old also sparred with second-year Wizards guard Bubba Carrington as the two trash-talked before he pushed Carrington at fullback at the end of the game. The latter player then fell to the ground, and Durant received a technical foul.

However, the future Hall of Famer did not hold a grudge against Washington. He was video giving pointers to Wizards second-year wing Keeshon George after the game, via On SI’s Lachard Binkley.

Durant he also said that he’s “excited about the hometown team” now that young and star big man Anthony Davis is in the District, via Double Take Sports’ Carita Parks. Wizards fans haven’t had much to get excited about in recent years, but the team’s young core combined with new stars and whoever they draw in the lottery this summer puts them in a position to be competitive after this season.





2026-03-03 22:17:00

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