Washington Wizards Rookie Bilal Coulibaly Getting Snubbed Early?

The Washington Wizards have to be through the roof about rookie Bilal Coulibaly, but the NBA as a whole is not impressed.

The Washington Wizards (3-17) haven't had the greatest track record when it comes to landing impact talent in the NBA Draft.

We're not saying every Wizards draft pick has been a bust, but there are enough low-lying examples to choose from when criticizing the team's approach in the past.

This year Washington took guard Bilal Coulibaly who was best known as 'Victor Wembenyama's teammate' up until that point.

READ MORE: Washington Rookie Gaining National Attention?

Now, however, in a short period of time Coulibaly is already winning over the hearts and minds of Wizards fans everywhere. But he's not impressing the NBA nearly as much as it would seem.

In a list of top five NBA Rookie of the Year candidates, NBA.com's Steve Aschburner not only keeps Coulibaly off that list, but he keeps him off his 'The Next 5' section as well.

Leading the race according to Aschburner is center-forward Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Second is San Antonio Spurs forward-center Wembanyama who is then followed by Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller, Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Detroit Pistons guard-forward Ausar Thompson.

Perhaps it's a forward's club and Coulibaly is out because the Wizards only list him as a guard.

Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) looks on against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Capital One Arena / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Truth be told a rookie of the year ranking list this early won't have much bearing on the final result, and if Coulibaly continues his upward trajectory throughout the season he'll no doubt be getting some well-deserved national attention later on.

Still, when you compare his numbers this early to those of someone like Thompson, clearly Coulibaly is being snubbed for some reason.

Coulibaly is averaging just 1.3 minutes less per game than Thompson despite the fact the Pistons rookie has 18 starts this season.

In those minutes Coulibaly is playing cleaner, is averaging .5 a turnover less per game, has more steals, is less than one assist per game behind Thompson, and is shooting better in two and three-point range.

And Washington is actually winning more than Detroit (2-19).

That's not to discount Thompson, but to say that if he's No. 5, then Coulibaly should at least warrant an honorable mention in 'The Next 5'.

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When the future is all you have to cling to, teams like the Wizards like to make sure theirs is being noticed.

For now, Coulibaly is operating in the shadows, while those close to Washington enjoy the show that some are missing out on early this season.

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You can follow David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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