While all eyes are on Victor Wembanyama or the beginnings of Zaccharie Risacher, Bilal Coulibaly steals the show at the start of the season.
After four games, the Wizards guard/winger is averaging 18.8 points, and for the second time in a week, he broke his career points record. For the second round against the Hawks, he scored 27 points, and added 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block!
« I had a lot of opportunities, my teammates found me well in transition, on open 3-point shots, which really put me in the rhythm. So it was quite easy to integrate myself into the game” explains Bilal Coulibaly, before discussing his progress with the ball in hand. “My dribbling has really improved, and that helps me be better on the court and play a lot easier. Then I just do what I'm supposed to do, make open shots, find my teammates, and they find me too, so it makes the game easier. »
At only 20 years old, Bilal Coulibaly is gaining more and more volume in the Wizards game, and he no longer hesitates to take his chance. This is his third game in a row with 12 or more shots. He goes for his shots, and his efficiency impresses: 11 out of 14 on shots, including 3 out of 5 from 3-point range!
“We want to give him the ball more” continues Brian Keefe. “We think he’s a creator, and he can go to the rim and put a lot of pressure. »
Basketball is 60% individual qualities and 40% confidence
Wednesday evening, hampered by mistakes in the first half, he saw Trae Young take advantage to score 24 points. After the break, Bilal Coulibaly is fairer in defense, and his size will once again annoy the Hawks leader, who is content with 11 points on 3 out of 13 shots. “I was just determined” replies the Frenchman. “I saw that he was hot in the first half, and I said to myself that we had to change things.”
Generally speaking, how does he explain this very good start to the season, and this ease which emerges from his game?
“I feel like trust is the main thing”estimates Bilal Coulibaly, who had the right to his “shower” during the interview. “For me, basketball is probably 60% basketball skills and 40% confidence. I'm very confident at the moment and I'm playing well. »
| Bilal Coulibaly | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | WAS | 63 | 27 | 43.5 | 34.6 | 70.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 8.4 |
| 2024-25 | WAS | 3 | 34 | 50.0 | 35.7 | 81.3 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 4.7 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 16.0 |
| Total | 66 | 28 | 43.9 | 34.7 | 71.4 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 8.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
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