Though the Washington Wizards want to build a defensive foundation, they’ll likely have to begin the upcoming season without arguably their best player on that end. While competing for France’s national team in EuroBasket 2025, 2023 lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly tore a ligament in his right thumb, according to ESPN senior insider Shams Charania. There is no firm timeline for his recovery from the injury, which required surgery.
Wizards Lose Bilal Coulibaly To Injury At EuroBasket 2025
As players often come back from international competition feeling as if they’re in midseason form, the Wizards likely welcomed Coulibaly joining France for this fall’s FIBA EuroBasket tournament. To this point in his jeune career, the 6-foot-8 wing is one of the next generation players at the head of the class defensively. Lithe and agile, he’s capable of guarding 1-3 with relative ease. He also makes highlight plays that aren’t normal for perimeter players, blocking 89 shots in 122 regular season games.
Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery Friday to repair a ligament tear in his right thumb and is likely to miss time into the regular season, sources tell ESPN. Coulibaly sustained the injury with the French national team during FIBA EuroBasket play.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 12, 2025
These traits are exactly what Washington is looking for in their quest to be a fortress. With outside scoring threats proliferated in the modern era, his value is even greater. At least at that end.
Time Is Opportunity
Coulibaly’s offense really needs to come along if he’s to live up to expectations and take complete control at small forward.
That being said, this is why there’s no guarantee he’ll start even if he’s healthy.
At present, he’s best in transition and on cuts, which is typical for raw athletes. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s shown the ability to create for himself and others. Yet, he isn’t particularly strong, doesn’t have an advanced handle, and needs to work on his in-between game. Furthermore, despite his willingness to take 3-point attempts, he’s shooting just 31.1 percent from deep.
Ultimately, the Saint-Cloud product is averaging 10.3 points per game for his career, which is decent but far from optimal.
Looking ahead, the Wizards have high hopes for the backcourt of Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson. The second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Alex Sarr (who was also hurt during the EuroBasket tournament) is most definitely in the team’s plans. There’s still a question of whether he’s more of a 4 or a 5 due to his light frame and pre-draft comments about preferring to play power forward. Nevertheless, Washington has several forwards that could prove too hard to take off the court.
Coulibaly will have every chance to take the starting job. All he has to do is prove that he deserves it.
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