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Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd)

WASHINGTON – The grand ballroom of the Pendry Hotel in Washington D.C.'s Wharf was packed. Wizards executives Will Dawkins and Michael Winger, owner Ted Leonsis, dozens of media members, TV cameras and about a half-dozen rostered players were all in attendance to watch the official introduction of the star of the show: Brian Keefe.Keefe, after a 39-game tenure as interim head coach this past season, was officially named the team's next full-time head coach last week after a comprehensive search for the right candidate led the Wizards' front office to a familiar face.Keefe's wife and two daughters were front row, with general manager Dawkins beside him on the podium. The first thing Dawkins brought up when asked about the coach – and a theme that popped up almost every 30 seconds for the remainder of the press conference – was the fact that Keefe's personability was a huge reason for the hire.“My first time that I met [Keefe] in 2008, what really I remember is how much time he took to get to know me as a person,” Dawkins said. “He's genuine, he invests in people, he puts himself last, he puts the players and the team first and we're really, really excited about that.”

Keefe's longevity in the NBA for now 19 years can largely be credited to that effort in relationship-building. He started as a video coordinator, as many head coaches like Erik Spoelstra did, with the San Antonio Spurs. After helping the Spurs to the 2007 NBA championship, Keefe spent eight years with the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, where he first met Dawkins. Keefe then had stops with the L.A. Lakers and New York Knicks before returning to OKC in 2019, shortly before Dawkins was named the team's VP of Basketball Operations.After a two-year stint with the Brooklyn Nets, Keefe landed in Washington before this past season as a member of Wes Unseld Jr.'s staff. Now in year 19, Keefe's decades of team-building culminate with his first full-time head coaching position. He choked up when discussing what his family has meant for his journey, then was asked what the No. 1 order of business is as a head coach. It rang a bell.“I think the biggest thing – I think Will said this, this is the stuff that I believe in – is pouring into the relationship part,” Keefe said. "I've already talked to all of our guys. They reached out to me as soon as they found the news. We want to pour into them as people and invest into them as people first, and then into their game. That's how we're going to operate as an organization, that's what Michael and Will believe in, and Ted.“This is a relationship business, and when you develop these relationships, then you can really dig into the stuff that we need to improve on. We're already into that, that's what we've been focusing on, and that's what I've focused on from day one. The basketball stuff, we're going to go tackle that, and we're not going to run from where we are, but the relationship stuff is always going to be number one for us because that's how you're going to make the most movement to reach these guys to help them realize where we can go as a team and how we can grow.”Keefe's relationship-building will enter another stage later this month when the NBA Draft takes place on June 26th and 27th. The Wizards currently hold three picks (Nos. 2, 26, and 51), which, barring a trade, will bring three highly-touted prospects to Washington. Keefe already has one of the most stacked player development resumes in the league (having helped develop Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook in OKC, as well as Bilal Coulibaly in Washington), so the new arrivals should receive the same in-depth treatment.

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Brian Keefe's relationship-building key to ascension

wasvpoma

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Wizards announced today that the team has named Brian Keefe as head coach. Keefe becomes the 26th head coach in the organization’s history.

“We are excited for Brian to become our next head coach. Brian is a proven motivator and connector of people,” said Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins. “As a leader in the organization, he will continue to positively grow and invest into the development of our players. His wealth of experience will help move our team forward as we build for long-term sustained success.”

Keefe was originally named interim head coach on January 25, 2024, with the team seeing improvement in defensive rating, overall net rating, and opponent three-point percentage over the remainder of the regular season.&nbsp; Under his direction, the Wizards held opponents to the second lowest three-point percentage (34.5%) in the league. Before being named interim head coach, Keefe was in his first season with Washington, serving as the team’s lead assistant coach.

Throughout his 16-year NBA coaching career, he has been influential in the development and evolution of the careers of multiple All-Stars, All-NBA, and MVP caliber players, with stops in Brooklyn (2021-2023), Oklahoma City (2019-20 and 2007-2014), Los Angeles (2016-2019), and New York (2014-2016). Known for his extensive background in player development, multiple Wizards players improved in various statistical categories under Keefe’s guidance as interim head coach.

He started his NBA career as a video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005. During his second season, the team won the 2007 NBA championship.

“I am grateful to Michael [Winger] and Will for the opportunity to lead the Washington Wizards,” said Keefe. “I look forward to continuing to work with our players and helping them grow and develop. &nbsp;&nbsp;As a team, we are committed to a collaborative approach to build an environment of accountability and hard work that allows us to improve every day.”

As an assistant coach, Keefe has been a part of teams that have earned playoff berths on eight occasions, including five consecutive playoff appearances (2009-2014) and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Wizards Name Brian Keefe Head Coach

wasmsqueri

Washington, D.C. –&nbsp;The NBA announced today that the Washington Wizards received the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft during today’s Draft Lottery in Chicago.&nbsp; The Wizards were represented onstage by guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly.

The Wizards, who had a 13.41% chance of getting the second overall pick, were originally slotted to pick second overall prior to the unveiling of the draft order.&nbsp;

The 2024 NBA Draft will be held on Wednesday, June 26 (First Round) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Thursday, June 27 (Second Round) at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York.

Fans are invited to watch the 2024 NBA Draft unfold live at Capital One Arena during the Washington Wizards 2024 NBA Draft Party, presented by Robinhood on Wednesday, June 26. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the draft broadcast starting at 8 p.m. ET.&nbsp; All fans wishing to attend must claim a free ticket and can learn more at washingtonwizards.com/draftparty.

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Wizards land second overall pick in 2024 NBA Draft

wasatemperly

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Wizards have joined together with global digital sports platform Fanatics and Hennessy to host the Marcus Graham Project (MGP)’s iCR8 workshop from Monday, June 24, to Thursday, June 27, at Capital One Arena. This marks the third year the Wizards have hosted MGP’s iCR8 workshop.  

“Fanatics is defined by its employees and unwavering commitment to inclusion to build a best-in-class organization and culture that reflects the global communities we serve,” said Grace Farraj, Executive Director of Fanatics Foundation™ and Vice President of Fanatics Philanthropy. “We’re thrilled to once again partner with the Washington Wizards, Hennessy, and the Marcus Graham Project to increase awareness of, and access to, career opportunities across the sports industry.” 

The four-day workshop will give 25 young professionals from the Washington, D.C., area the ability to gain experience, insight, and understanding in the sport, fashion, and spirit industry. Members from the Wizards’ game presentation, fan engagement, and global partnerships departments as well as representatives from Fanatics and Hennessy will participate in panels and group discussions throughout the week to provide first-hand expertise and knowledge.  

“In today's growing sports industry, it is important that our strategic partnerships cater to the need for diverse, creative, unconventional talent in traditional spaces,” said Larry Yarrell, Marcus Graham Project Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer. “Our partnership with the Wizards is proof that this type of collaborative effort works, as we continue to fill meaningful roles at the organization with MGP talent." 

The Marcus Graham Project is a non-profit organization that holds a variety of programs and workshop to train, mentor, and provide the experience needed to the next generation by connecting and collaborating with individuals from all backgrounds in the fields of marketing and media.  

Ninety-six (96) percent of MGP alumni have received job offers within the first six months of completing the program. MGP alumni include  June 2021 MGP Workshop MVP and Wizards freelance content creator and editor Rashad Simpson.  

To learn more about the Marcus Graham Project and the work they are doing, click here.&nbsp;

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Washington Wizards, Fanatics, and Hennessy Partner to host Marcus Graham Workshop

Washington, D.C. –&nbsp;The Washington Wizards announced today that they have signed guard Jared Butler to a multi-year NBA contract. In a related move, the team waived forward Isaiah Livers.

In 35 games with Washington this season, Butler is averaging 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting a career-best .490 from the field. Over his last 10 games with the Wizards, he is averaging 9.2 points and 5.2 assists per game and tallied a season-high 17 points on 7-10 shooting in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on April 2. The Baylor product also played in 16 games for the Capital City Go-Go (the Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate) this season, averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

Butler holds career averages of 4.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 83 career games over three seasons with Utah, Oklahoma City, and Washington. He originally signed his two-way contract with Washington on July 28, 2023.

Livers was acquired via trade from Detroit on January 14 along with Marvin Bagley III. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season with joint capsule inflammation in his right hip on February 26.

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Wizards sign Butler to multi-year contract

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Wizards will celebrate and show their appreciation to their loyal and dedicated fanbase on Fan Appreciation Night presented by Michelob ULTRA on Friday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m. when the Chicago Bulls come to Capital One Arena.&nbsp;   &nbsp;

All fans in attendance will take home a Wizards Boundary Stones City Edition t-shirt. Prior to the start of the game, forward Kyle Kuzma will address the crowd. In addition, the team will present the 2023-24 Dr. E.B. Henderson Award in a pregame ceremony. The team award, introduced during the 2021-22 season, recognizes a Wizards player for their work in the community.  

Throughout the game, fans will have the chance to take home a variety of prizes and giveaways and those in attendance will be entertained with a halftime performance that includes the Wizards Dancers, Wizdom, Wiz Kids, and 202 Crew Dunkers.&nbsp;

To continue their appreciation to fans, the team will offer a variety of specials and discounts. Fans can enjoy a $3 gameday special on select food items at concession stands. Items include hot dogs, a small popcorn, pretzels, and a 16-ounce soda (concession offer is valid where items are sold; one item per person, per transaction, while supplies last). In addition, all regularly priced Wizards merchandise items will be 40% off for that night (offer valid at The Team Store and other Capital One Arena retail locations only). &nbsp;

Fans wishing to attend Fan Appreciation Night can purchase tickets at https://www.nba.com/wizards/tickets-2. &nbsp;

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Wizards Celebrate Fan Appreciation Night April 12

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly will miss the remainder of the regular season after being diagnosed with a right wrist fracture.  The injury, which will be treated conservatively, was suffered when Coulibaly fell during the team’s game on March 16 at Chicago.

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Wizards Injury Update

WASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;The Washington Wizards announced today that they have signed forward/center Tristan Vukcevic to a multi-year deal.&nbsp;

The Wizards selected Vukcevic (7-0, 225 lbs.) with the 42nd&nbsp;overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft.&nbsp; He has spent this season with KK Partizan Belgrade of the Adriatic League (Liga ABA), averaging 7.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 30 games while shooting .540 from the field and .432 from three-point range. The 21-year-old played with Washington in the 2023 NBA Summer League, averaging 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in four games.&nbsp;

Vukcevic (pronounced VOOK-cheh-vitch) has previously played overseas for Real Madrid in the Spanish ACB (2020-21) and KK Partizan Belgrade (2022-24). In 2022-23 with KK Partizan Belgrade, he averaged 8.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game in 22 Adriatic League games.