Wizards land Bilal Coulibaly at No. 7 in deal with Pacers
With the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers selected French wing Bilal Coulibaly of Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A league. The Pacers agreed to trade Coulibaly to the Washington Wizards.
Indiana receives No. 8 pick Jarace Walker and two future second-round selections from Washington in the deal.
A lazy description of Coulibaly around this draft will likely be that he's "Victor Wembanyama's club teammate." However, he generated plenty of interest as an exciting talent in his own right. Coulibaly, who will turn 19 on July 26, is an exceptional, high-motor athlete whose defense was crucial in Metropolitans 92's run to the LNB Pro A's playoff finals, where they were swept in three games by regular-season champs Monaco.
Coulibaly missed the NBA's combine because of that postseason competition, meaning he doesn't have official wingspan and max vert records. However, he sent his own measurements to teams afterward, clocking in with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, which passes the eye test when watching how well he thwarts shooters and drivers alike from the perimeter. He's at his best playing above the rim when he generates momentum on the open floor, which, combined with his high defensive upside, compensates for his overall unpolished scoring game for now.
Bio
Position: Guard/forward
Club: Metropolitans 92 (France)
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 194 lbs
Wingspan: 7-foot-2
Max vertical: 38 inches
2022-23 stats with Metropolitans 92
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 53.2 | 45.2 | 59.5 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 4.9 |
Strengths
- Absolutely loaded with defensive upside; combines his frame with great lateral quickness exceptionally well for his age. Contests shots well and can be a menace defending one-on-one thanks to his quick hands.
- Loves to attack the rim with his really long strides and athleticism but is also a crafty finisher with good footwork who can get around defenders.
- Really astute slasher; makes smart, timely backdoor reads.
Weaknesses
- May need to add bulk to his slim frame; did well finishing through contact, especially at U-19 level but could have trouble against bigger NBA rim-protectors.
- Needs to develop consistent, reliable shot to fulfill promise as 3-and-D threat; looks somewhat uncomfortable on catch-and-shoot attempts with a drawn-out release.
- On-ball role could be limited by how his self-creation develops; dribble in half-court sets leaves a bit to to be desired, especially with an ineffective pull-up game.
NBA comparable: O.G. Anunoby. Coming out of college, Anunoby was still strides away from the shooter he is now, but his defensive acumen and physical traits convinced the Toronto Raptors to take him 23rd overall in 2017. The 6-foot-7 wing has developed into a solid catch-and-shoot threat who can shut down multiple positions, but he still struggles occasionally with his decision-making when the ball's in his hands. At present, he's a near-seamless blueprint for Coulibaly to follow. If the French prospect adds mass to his frame (Anunoby weighed 232 at the 2017 combine) and refines his shot, he should follow a similar trajectory. If he can also add the missing isolation game to his repertoire, Coulibaly could have top two-way talent potential in the NBA.