Bilal Coulibaly Wants Respect Put On His Name

Bilal Coulibaly is showing positive signs of development but he is also focused on gaining respect.

With the Wizards holding a 3-17 record, it can be difficult to convince fans to be patient with the rebuilding process. However, there is hope that the team is putting the right pieces in place the more rookie Bilal Coulibaly makes a name for himself.

Coulibaly is showing clear signs of development in each game that he plays. In his first eight games he averaged 6.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.5 steals. He also shot 43.9% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range, and 63.6% from the free throw line in 23.5 minutes.

Those numbers have moved up in his past eleven games with his averages increasing to 10 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 steals. His shooting has improved to 57.1% from the field, 44.4% from three-point range, and 71.4% from the free throw line in 28.5 minutes.

Coulibaly acknowledges that he is getting more comfortable on the court but that’s not his only focus. He also wants to make sure his opponents know that he will not be disrespected.

“I feel like sometimes they [opponents] are disrespecting me,” Coulibaly said. “Sometimes not playing defense on the three-point line so I just take those shots. Even if I miss it, I take it, and next time it goes in.”

I asked Bilal Coulibaly last night if apart of his game is playing for respect. He said he does feel disrespected sometimes but that drives him to keep taking shots until they go in. #FortheDistrict @dbltakesports pic.twitter.com/XZ1QTyIblq

— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) December 7, 2023

That mindset also showed up during the Wizards game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday when Coulibaly threw down a poster dunk on Paul Reed and followed it up with a mean mug. When asked about the dunk in postgame, he noted that was his best NBA dunk thus far.

“That was a good one. I saw his [Paul Reed] feet were not in position to play good defense, Coulibaly said. “So I was like yeah I go to drive it. I was wide open so I said yeah I’ll dunk it.”

He followed that up with his first career double-double versus the Brooklyn Nets finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Coulibaly is evidence that the Wizards front office drafted well which should give fans some solace. At this pace, he is on his way to being the future of the franchise. 

First career double-double for @Bilaal_6 tonight⚡️

📊 11 PTS | 10 REB pic.twitter.com/tkcSElgHNo

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 9, 2023

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