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Luke Askew

After a sensational start to his rookie season, Washington Wizards wing Bilal Coulibaly has been selected to participate in the 2024 Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night. Here's everything you need to know.

WHERE: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)WHEN: 9:00 p.m. ETTV: TNT

The 2024 Rising Stars Challenge is a four-team, single-elimination tournament. Each game will have an Elam-style ending, meaning it will be played to a target score, rather than played under a set time limit. The first round of games (the semifinals) will be played to a target score of 40. The championship game will be played to a target score of 25.

Three of the four teams (featuring NBA rookies and sophomores) were drafted by basketball legends Pao Gasol, Tamika Catchings, and Jalen Rose. The fourth team will be coached by Detlef Schrempf and is comprised of NBA G League players.

Coulibaly was drafted by Gasol to play for Team Pau and will be joined by Brandon Miller, Brandin Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jabari Smith Jr., Cason Wallace, and his former Metropolitans 92 teammate in France, Victor Wembanyama.

Team Jalen and Team Tamika will kick things off in Game 1. After that, Coulibaly and Team Pao will play Team Detlef (the G League roster) in Game 2. The winners of each game will meet up in the final game to determine the Rising Stars Champion.

Coulibaly's first game will be fascinating to watch. It's an opportunity for Wizards fans to watch him play alongside others in his draft class (and one year older), and watch him compete against some up-and-coming stars likely to be drafted in 2024.

Two of the stars on Team Detlef are Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland. Both guys currently play for G League Ignite and are projected to be lottery picks in the next NBA Draft.

One thing Wizards fans can look out for: Coulibaly in transition. He's already proven he can fly as high as anyone in the league. If he gets out in the open court for a breakaway dunk, watch out.

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Preview: Rising Stars Challenge featuring Wizards rookie Bilal Coulibaly

The Washington Wizards are celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day by honoring and saluting the work of all women in the Monumental Sports and Entertainment organization, including the one and only Meghan McPeak, Wizards Sideline Reporter and Mystics Play-by-Play Broadcaster.

McPeak was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. Basketball was always her sport. She grew up around the game, played it from a young age, and eventually worked her way to the collegiate level, playing point guard for the Humber College women’s basketball team in Toronto. This helped pave her way into the sports broadcasting world.&nbsp;

“I always knew that somehow I wanted to stay around the game,” said McPeak. “Initially, I wanted to actually be a strength and conditioning coach. But the way it was being taught, it wasn’t conducive to me. I found out when I was 30 that I was dyslexic, and I had no idea going through high school and college that I was dyslexic.”&nbsp;

The trials and tribulations of going through that college program with undiagnosed dyslexia helped McPeak realize that she wanted to change directions. This is when she made the life-changing switch to radio and broadcast.

“I was going to lose my scholarship and end up flunking out,” said McPeak. “That’s when I figured out that I wanted to do radio. It was a complete 180 of my grades and everything because I was hands-on learning. In radio and TV, you learn as you’re doing the program versus from a textbook. It was a complete game-changer.”&nbsp;

Once she made the switch to broadcasting, McPeak was off and running. She started out as an analyst. After playing in her own basketball games for Humber College, she’d hop on the headset and analyze the men’s games. “I essentially wanted to be the Canadian Doris Burke,” said McPeak. But soon after starting as an analyst, she found her true passion: play-by-play.

One night, the local university play-by-play commentator got sick and the broadcast team asked if McPeak could fill in. She said yes, and from that point on, nothing would ever be the same.

“Someone got sick, I had to fill in, and I haven’t looked back,” said McPeak with a smile.&nbsp;

After college, McPeak did play-by-play for a professional team in Canada, then got her first job in the NBA world working for the Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors G League affiliate, and also working pre and post-game radio shows for the Raptors. In 2018, she got a job with the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards G League affiliate, and was the play-by-play broadcaster for their inaugural season.&nbsp;

Since her start with the Go-Go, McPeak has been covering D.C. hoops since moving to The District in 2018. After a few years of calling games for the Go-Go and Mystics, she earned the job of Wizards Sideline Reporter in 2022, the role in which she currently works.&nbsp;

Growing up in Canada and not having access to traditional American cable channels, McPeak didn’t see many women in sports on her TV screen as a kid. Having access to ESPN, she did see Burke and Robin Roberts, but those two were on the analysis side of broadcasting, not the play-by-play side. Her experiences with the Go-Go, Mystics, and Wizards have helped her be the role model for others that she didn’t have growing up.&nbsp;

“It’s surreal to think that I could be, for a younger version of me, what I didn’t have. When I made the decision to go into radio, I made the right decision, because it means that something is changing, and I’m helping be part of that change.”

Even though she didn’t have many women in the space to look up to as role models growing up, she hasn’t been alone in her professional journey thus far. She credits Kayla Grey, LaChina Robinson, Kate Scott, Lisa Byington, Burke, Amy Audibert, Tiffany Greene, Zora Stephenson, Monumental Sports Network’s Christy Winters-Scott, and many more for years of both mentorship and friendship in the industry.&nbsp;

“It’s a long list, but those are the women who come to mind the most.”&nbsp;

Now, McPeak is in a special position as a woman in the industry that others look up to. She’s able to take the advice she’s been given throughout her journey and give that advice to girls across the world who one day want to be in her position.&nbsp;

The best piece of advice that McPeak has been given, and that she now gives, is to control what you can control.&nbsp;

“In this industry, you can plan and plan and plan, and the industry will go left on you… All the planning, things can completely change on you. So control what you can control, and allow the rest to just happen. It makes being in the industry a little less stressful once you allow yourself to kind of give up the control that you can’t control.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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National Girls and Women in Sports Day: Monumental Sports Network's Meghan McPeak

This story has been updated with stats reflecting games played through January 29 and was written prior to Coulibaly's selection to the Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend.

With the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game right around the corner, it's time to take a look at Bilal Coulibaly, the Washington Wizards' young phenom, and lay out the case for why he deserves to compete.

The Wizards were one of the few teams with a heavy focus on them heading into the 2023 NBA Draft. It was the first time they were set to operate under the decision-making of the new front office, and fans were curious to find out which route they'd take. The Wizards had the eighth pick in the draft, but they weren't content with that. They swapped draft rights with the Indiana Pacers (one pick ahead of them) in order to get their guy: Coulibaly.

"He was someone that we targeted early on in the process for many reasons," said Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins at Coulibaly's introductory press conference. "But as we got closer to draft night, we realized that he was our guy. And when we got in the room, Mike [Winger] made sure we got our guy."

Coulibaly was widely considered to be a relatively raw prospect coming into the draft. He was only 18 years old at the time and had recently gone through a major growth spurt, growing six to seven inches in just one summer. In terms of hand-eye coordination, it isn't easy to grow that much in such a short time.

However, if there's one thing Coulibaly has shown throughout his time in the spotlight, it's that he frequently delivers ahead of schedule. Last season for the Metropolitans 92 in France, he wasn't supposed to be a part of the senior team with Victor Wembanyama. He was originally on the junior team before being brought up roughly midway through the season. Then, he became a high-end lottery pick in the draft. And now, he's doing more in his rookie season than most fans predicted before the start of the season.

Coulibaly has played in all 45 games for the Wizards this season and has already earned over 26 minutes of playing time per night. His 8.2 points per game might not jump off the page, but that's not because he's inefficient or having trouble scoring the ball. In fact, he's one of the most efficient rookies in his class, shooting 46.4% from the field and 39% from deep (both are in the top 10 among rookies who have attempted 200+ field goals). He simply plays within the flow of the offense, makes snappy decisions, keeps the ball moving, and then shoots with confidence when that's what's best for the team.

One of the most impressive (and somewhat surprising) aspects of his game has been his jump shot. The Wizards knew the foundation was there for Coulibaly to become a good shooter, but no one could've predicted how quickly it would happen. Even Coulibaly couldn't have predicted how well he would start the season from distance.

After a game against the Hawks in late November, Coulibaly was asked if he was surprised at how comfortable he felt in general on the offensive end of the floor. "No, no, no, no," said Coulibaly confidently. "I knew I could play offensively, so nah."

Right after that, when he was reminded that he was shooting roughly 45% from 3-point land, he cracked a smile and joked, "That's surprising a little bit, ain't gonna lie... The 3-point line is way farther than in France, so I had to adjust, and I did it pretty good."

While the efficiency of his jumper has been mildly surprising, Coulibaly's impact around the rim has been as advertised. Whether it's in transition or the halfcourt, Coulibaly is a constant threat to hammer home a vicious dunk. He's never seen a rim defender he didn't think he could posterize.

As the weeks go on, Coulibaly's growth on the offensive end of the floor is rapid. He's even started handling the ball in pick-and-rolls and has flashed the potential of a dynamic playmaker in the halfcourt.

"Obviously, my shooting ability, and I'll say my handle too," said Coulibaly when asked what areas he's grown in most since joining the Wizards. "I was struggling a little bit with the basketballs and everything was different. I work on that and I'm pretty happy with it."

While Coulibaly's offensive influence has been a welcomed addition to this young Wizards team, his defensive prowess is still his calling card. Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he came into the league ready to be an off-ball disruptor, and despite that, he's somehow exceeded expectations early on. If an opposing player goes to the rim and is only focused on the on-ball defender, Coulibaly will make him pay by flying in from out of nowhere and swatting the shot. If there's a lazy pass floating around the perimeter, Coulibaly will use his length, athleticism, and anticipation to jump the passing lanes and come up with a steal. He's one of only three rookies to tally at least 30 blocks and 40 steals so far this season. In his last game against the Nuggets, he notched a career-high four blocks.

"I thought he did a pretty good job of defending without fouling," said Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. after the game. "He really got into the ball. And it's hard, pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll, handoffs, a lot of two-man actions. He just did a really good job of using his length, making his plays late... Whether you block it or not, it's a deterrent. And to his credit, he did it without fouling."

Defending without fouling is a notorious issue for rookies year after year in the league. It takes time to adjust to the speed, size, and strength of NBA players as they attack the rim. For Coulibaly, being able to alter plays at the rim while staying out of foul trouble is an early sign of maturity that Wizards fans, coaches, and teammates have come to admire.

Not only has Coulibaly been a tremendous off-ball defender, but he's also taken on the role of defending the opposing team's best perimeter player night in and night out. Usually, the Wizards start with Deni Avdija as the primary defender and then bring Coulibaly in for him without missing a beat.

Pick a superstar creator in today's NBA and Coulibaly has likely been trusted with guarding him. Jalen Brunson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant -- all of those guys and countless others. Of course, not all of those possessions end in stops, but it's a sign of trust that Unseld Jr. is willing to put the third-youngest player in the NBA on those established superstars -- one that should pay dividends in the years to come.

The basketball highlights -- on both offense and defense -- have been otherworldly for Coulibaly, but his mindset and approach to the game stand out above everything else. Despite being only 19 years old, moving to a new country, and playing against the top talent in the world, he's unflappable by nature. Never too high, never too low. He carries himself with a poise far beyond his years.

It's not like Coulibaly's been perfect since joining the NBA. No rookie has ever been perfect. Everyone has their ups and downs and goes through various slumps. So what keeps Coulibaly focused and grounded during any rough patches? Relying on the work.

"Just coming to the gym. Whenever I'm mad or frustrated, I say, 'Yeah, that's it. I'm coming to the gym and getting some shots up with coaches, by myself, whatever.' Just trying to be confident. That's all you gotta do."

As for playing in the Rising Stars game, it would be an honor for Coulibaly. But whether he's selected or not won't stop him from continuing to put in the work behind the scenes to get where he ultimately wants to be.

"That was one of my goals, so if I do it, it's going to be nice, you know. I'm going to be happy and proud. But if I don't, I'm gonna get to work."

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Bilal Coulibaly Rookie Highlights

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Bilal Coulibaly: A star on the rise for the Washington Wizards

When Tyus Jones got traded to the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2023-24 season, fans knew what they could expect: A reliable, do-it-all, veteran presence at the point guard position. What was more difficult to predict was just how impactful he'd end up being for this young Wizards squad.

"He's just well-balanced," said Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. "He's a guy who plays with poise. He's a true point guard, has a feel for the game, and can read and assess situations and flow. I think he has a good feel for what's needed in that moment -- how to orchestrate that action, how to set it up -- and as really good facilitators are, he's a step ahead of the defense. So he's already kind of read and sniffed things out, so he knows where the pockets are and where the advantages are."

From the moment Jones touched the floor in his first regular season game, his impact became obvious to Wizards fans. After spending his entire career as a backup point guard to Ricky Rubio, Jeff Teague, and Ja Morant, this was Jones' season to flourish in a starting role, and he immediately proved that's where he belonged.

"I've been preparing for this moment," said Jones. "To have a bigger role, to be a starter, to play more minutes."

Coach on the floor. Floor general. Traditional point guard. These are all cliches that are used to describe someone like Jones' game. When it comes to some players, those phrases can be far-fetched, but not when it comes to Jones. In his case, all of those cliches have a steady undertone of truth.

How long did it take for his teammates to recognize that the positive cliches they'd heard about him were true?

"Immediately," said Wizards sharpshooter Corey Kispert. "In training camp when he showed up, it was obvious. Pretty much every team he was on when we would scrimmage would win. He's a competitor, and even being new to the team and not really knowing how most of us play or what we like, he was able to get us in the right spots to win those scrimmages, and it's carried over. Whenever he's on the floor, we're in really, really good hands."

Despite the impact he had on the team since arriving for training camp, the traditional counting stats weren't as high as one might expect for Jones at the beginning of the season. In the first month (October 25 to November 25), he was averaging just 10.9 points and 4.9 assists per game on 56.5% true shooting. There's nothing wrong with those numbers -- they're solid -- but they weren't indicative of what Jones was bringing to the table.

Now that the Wizards are nearly halfway through their season and Jones has had ample time to learn his new teammates, new coaches, and new city, he looks as comfortable as ever and is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Over the last month, he's been on a torrid run that has counteracted whatever semi-slow start he got off to statistically.

Name a stat category, and Jones is most likely averaging his career high in it. Points, rebounds, and assists? Yes to all three. Field goal percentage? Yes. Three-point percentage? Absolutely.

"Changing teams is probably the most difficult and challenging for a point guard," said Jones. "But I'm adjusting... Each game, each week, I'm continuing to get more familiar with the system, with what coach wants, with the chemistry -- continuing to build that every day with my teammates."

It felt like a switch flipped for Jones on December 15. He had nice nights and a few scoring outbursts in previous games, but on that December 15th night against Indianapolis, it looked like Jones broke the dam and the water started to flow.

In only 29 minutes of action, Jones notched his second career triple-double with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. He also added two steals and two blocks while leading the Wizards to a much-needed victory.

Two nights later, Jones followed that triple-double up with a 22-point, 11-assist, 6-steal game on the road in Phoenix. At that point, it became clear: Jones was comfortable and he was cooking.

In the last month of NBA action (December 15 to January 15), Jones has started all 16 games and has put up absurd numbers. Over that month-long stretch, he averaged 15.2 points per game on 54.3% shooting from the field and 49.3% shooting from deep (64.6% true shooting) to go along with 6.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.

Despite having the ball in his hands and creating loads of good looks for himself and his teammates, his turnover numbers have stayed as low as ever. In the aforementioned stretch of games, Jones averaged only one turnover per game, giving him a 6.69 assist-to-turnover ratio. For the season, Jones' assist-to-turnover ratio is sitting at 6.61 -- the best in the league.

"It gives you a level of comfort," said Unseld Jr. on Jones' ability to protect the ball. "You feel like he's going to make the right decision. If there is a turnover, it's a turnover of aggression, and they're obviously very few and far between."

One of the catalysts behind Jones' scoring increase is his consistency with the floater. It's typically a low-percentage shot across the basketball world (try it in a high school game and you might end up on the bench), but for Jones, it's an efficient way for him to attack from any angle and keep the defendes on their heels.

"It's one of those things where you look at the numbers and on paper, you say 'well, that might not be an efficient shot,' but it's an efficient shot for him. It's one he works on and he's perfected," said Unseld Jr.

To Unseld Jr.'s point, the numbers support that it's a good shot for Jones. Per Cleaning The Glass, Jones connects on 54% of his shots from short midrange (four to ~14 feet away from the basket). That puts him in the 95th percentile in the league from that range.

Jones' floater game has gotten to the point where it doesn't matter what angle he's shooting from, whether he jumps off one foot or two feet, or whether he's going full speed or half speed. Anytime he gets to the floater, it feels like it's a shot that's going to drop.

"You might as well start running back on defense," joked Kispert about what he thinks when Jones shoots a floater. "It's going in. It's two points. Any time he can get to that, it's a good thing for our offense. I need to go sign up for his floater camp this summer and learn a thing or two."

As for Jones, he just trusts his basketball instincts and the work he's put in behind the scenes. He says he's always had good touch -- dating back to when he was younger -- but it's now a more relevant shot for him than ever.

"I've always said the higher level I got, the more I had to rely on it," said Jones about his floater. "Going from high school to college, started to use it a little more. And then from college to the pros, I really started using it. It was a shot that I figured out I could really get to with the spacing of the NBA game and some of the NBA-style sets that you get to offensively. I started really honing in on that."

As for it being a low-percentage shot league-wide, Jones smiled and said, "It's funny, because the game started trending towards analytics, and that's a terrible analytics shot... I know for a lot of people that's not a good shot, but for me, that is. It's a high-percentage shot."

Jones' signature floater will continue to be a weapon for the Wizards' offense as they navigate their way through the 2023-24 season.

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Tyus Jones is bringing stability, creation, and floaters to the Washington Wizards' offense

wasmsqueri

Jordan Poole stopped by Virginia Ali's 90th birthday celebration on December 14th to present her with her bobblehead.

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Jordan Poole x Virginia Ali Bobblehead Presentation | 12/14/23

On January 15, the Washington Wizards will host the Detroit Pistons in D.C. for an afternoon game on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As part of the DMV Bobblehead Series, the fans will receive a one-of-a-kind bobblehead of Virginia Ali, Co-Founder of Ben's Chili Bowl and someone who had a personal relationship with Dr. King.

Ali was first shown the bobblehead when Wizards guard Jordan Poole presented it at her 90th birthday party.

"When it was presented to me, I was absolutely speechless," said Ali of her bobblehead. "I'm like, 'What is this? How did this happen? How did somebody do this? I had no idea... I was amazed... Very happy of course. I couldn't imagine me being a bobblehead. I just couldn't imagine it. That's for important people."

Of course, Ali's humble demeanor naturally downplays her importance and unique legacy in The District.

"I'm humbled by the work she has done that has served the community," said Virginia's daughter-in-law Vida. "I'm proud to be part of the family and to know that the matriarch received that because it's somewhere we're continuing the legacy and we're doing something right in serving the city."

Ben's Chili Bowl was founded in 1958 by Virginia Ali (then Virginia Rollins) and her fiancé Ben Ali. It is known for its classic chili half-smokes and milkshakes. To this day, it's one of the most desired eateries in the Nation's Capital. Ben's Chili Bowl's famed seating area has seen the likes of activists, athletes, musicians, politicians, and celebrities from all walks of life.

Not only was it a place that fed Duke Ellington, Anthony Bourdain, Barack Obama, and countless others, but it was in fact a spot Dr. King visited often during the civil rights movement. He frequented the Chili Bowl multiple times and formed a friendship with both Virginia and Ben Ali.

Needless to say, from just moments of speaking with Virginia, it was clear how much her experience with Dr. King meant to her. She was delighted to tell a specific story about the March on Washington, which she and her husband Ben attended.

"I remember vividly one story that I thought was so tremendous that [Dr. King] told me," Ali recalled. "He said they had had a meeting with President Kennedy to talk about the injustices of Black people at the time. When he told President Kennedy that he was going to bring a large number of people to protest those injustices, President Kennedy said, 'I don't think that's a good idea, Dr. King. If you do that, and there's an incident, it'll set your movement back.' And Dr. King responded with, 'There won't be an incident. There will not be an incident.' And as it turned out, he brought 250,000 people here without an incident."

She continued, "Ben and I had the pleasure of going down to that march, and all you could see was a sea of people -- all colors, all ages, all backgrounds. It was just amazing. It was such an uplifting day. The speeches that were made, the singing, and finally his 'I Have a Dream' speech. We were left with just a day of inspiration and a day that we knew change was going to come."

With 250,000 additional people in D.C., the Alis knew the Chili Bowl would be extra busy, so after the March on Washington, Ben and Virginia headed back to the Chili Bowl where they were ready to serve food for the crowd of people that would be coming in after the March.

"It was a wonderful day," Virginia remembered with pride.

To this day, it's still the people that inspire Ali more than anything else. She loves to connect with individuals from all over the world when they come into the Chili Bowl for a meal. After all, it was the thought of community that got her into the business in the first place.

"I've always enjoyed people," said Ali. "My first job was at a bank, and at that bank, I learned how much I enjoyed interacting with different people all day long. So when I met my husband and we fell in love and wanted to be married -- when he proposed, he also asked me if I'd be willing to partner with him in opening a little restaurant. And I'm thinking, 'More people! Yes! I think I can do that.' And today, 65 years later, it keeps me alive."

Over the years, just like the rest of D.C., the Wizards players, coaches, and staff have been frequent visitors at Ben's Chili Bowl. From supporting each other in community events to the Chili Bowl having a vendor at Capital One Arena, the relationship between the restaurant and the team is one filled with mutual love and admiration.

"You know, I have three sons," Virginia said when asked about the Wizards. "Basketball people -- basketball people! They played in school, but more importantly, we've had season tickets to the Wizards games for I don't even know how long. We've even had a couple of them up on the wall at the Chili Bowl. They've been loyal Washingtonians as far as we're concerned, visiting the Chili Bowl from time to time, and we love them. We love the Wizards."

Vida Ali happily exclaimed after her mother-in-law, "Being D.C.'s basketball team, and us being what we are to the community, we could not have had a better partner in serving the community. [The Wizards'] guests are our guests. It's been a beautiful journey, just them enjoying the community, having a game, and then we get a lot of them coming to the Bowl either before or after."

Whether it's Virginia's passion for the Wizards or the Chili Bowl, all things boil back down to the basic element of community that is so important to her. It's one of the things that inspires her family every day.

"I don't think she realizes how inspiring she is," says Vida of her mother-in-law. "I think she just shows up and does what she does every day. And what's important is that's the secret. You being your authentic self and treating other people the way you would like to be treated, you actually build a legacy... I watch her with single moms who are having difficult times raising a teenage son or daughter, or a young couple getting married because she was married to [Ben] for over 50 years. And I watch the advice that she gives, and it goes back to some basic fundamental moral values: To just be a decent person."

After getting to know Virginia Ali for a short period of time, anyone would understand why she chooses to live by the specific quote: "People who love people are the luckiest people in the world."

Wizards fans can get their honorary Virginia Ali bobblehead on January 15th at Capital One Arena.

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Behind the Bobblehead: Virginia Ali

With the Washington Wizards' season-opener right around the corner, it's time to preview the final position grouping: The Bigs. We've already covered the guards and the wings, so now let's look at the big men in the middle.

Daniel Gafford will have a new role this season. After spending most of last year either coming off the bench or playing alongside Kristaps Porzingis in the frontcourt, Gafford will likely be the lone true big man in Washington's starting five, and he's ready for the challenge.

"With most of the guys that came in, everybody was excited to have a guy like me on the floor," said a smiling Gafford on Wizards media day. "Just telling me, 'Oh yeah, lobs are gonna be there. We're gonna send the defense to you so you can block all the shots.' You know, the usual. But I'm really excited. I can't wait for the season."

Since arriving in Washington in March of 2021, Gafford's numbers have been steady, but his play has improved. He looks more confident around the rim. He has a better understanding of the defensive scheme. And he's developed into a vocal leader. Now, it's time for all the work to pay dividends.

Anthony Gill has developed a reputation in the Wizards' locker room as one of the league's most supportive and genuine dudes. Up and down the roster, players rave about the quality of the teammate and person that is Anthony Gill. But what gets lost sometimes is how he can impact the game on any given night.

There will be nights when Gill doesn't play, and he knows that. But there won't be any nights where Gill isn't ready to play. Last year, he played in 59 games and averaged just under 11 minutes per contest, but he brought a steadying presence to the court as soon as he checked in.

Whether it's guarding the opponent's big man down low, stretching out to the perimeter, or simply keeping the ball moving on offense, Gill has the ability to provide a spark on both ends of the court.

Despite being an established veteran in the NBA, this will be Mike Muscala's first season with the Wizards, and he already made a loud introduction to Wizards fans.

In just his second preseason game of the year, Muscala checked into the game at Madison Square Garden on October 18 and immediately activated his flamethrower. He made his first five triples and was a primary catalyst in the Wizards outpacing the Knicks to the tune of 131-106. He finished that game with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field in 25 minutes of playing time.

While Muscala won't check into every game and hit five consecutive threes, that performance was an example of the danger Muscala brings to the court. As soon as he subs in, the defense has to be ready to guard him.

Danilo Gallinari joined the Wizards from the Celtics via the same trade that sent Muscala to D.C. And now, Gallinari is the oldest player on the team heading into the 2023-24 season. That means leadership, both on and off the court, will be a major focal point for the 14-year vet. If you're wondering how much the veteran leadership of Galinari means to the team, just ask Gafford.

"When we first got back, I was working out and stuff, just coming back and forth, and [Galinari] came up to me and he was just giving me tips and pointers on just making plays out of the pocket," said Gafford. "Just little gestures like that is what shows how much certain guys on the team really just care about the game."

The newest addition to the Wizards roster is John Butler Jr., signed to Washington's final two-way deal on October 23.

Butler Jr. has incredible length at seven feet tall and has all of the tools you look for in the modern big man. He's athletic. He can shoot it from deep (39.3% on nearly three attempts per game in college). And he can block shots. Butler Jr. remains a relatively unknown prospect to the general NBA fan after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, but this season, he'll have an opportunity to take strides forward with the Wizards and their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.

features

Preview: Rising Stars Challenge featuring Wizards rookie Bilal Coulibaly

National Girls and Women in Sports Day: Monumental Sports Network's Meghan McPeak

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