Issuf Sanon

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WASHINGTON, DC – The Washington Wizards announced today that they have acquired guard Jerome Robinson from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team deal. Washington sent guard Isaiah Thomas to the Clippers and the draft rights to Issuf Sanon to New York to complete the trade (New York also acquired Moe Harkless, a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 second pick and a 2021 protected first round pick swap from Los Angeles, while the Clippers added Marcus Morris from New York).

“Jerome was a lottery pick for a reason, and we will look to mold his talent and toughness at both guard positions as we develop him within our program,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard.  “He is in need of an opportunity to prove himself and we are in the position to provide him with that.”

With the acquisition of Robinson, Washington now has three players on its active roster selected within the first 25 picks of the 2018 NBA Draft (Robinson, 13th; Troy Brown Jr., 15th; Moritz Wagner, 25th), as well as Isaac Bonga, who was taken with the 39th overall selection.

Robinson (6-5, 190 lbs.) was drafted 13th overall out of Boston College by the Clippers in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Raleigh, NC, native has played in 42 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.  In his two-year career, Robinson has appeared in 75 games (one start), while averaging 3.1 points and 1.3 rebounds per game and averaged 18.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 24 games with the Clippers’ NBA G League affiliate (Agua Caliente) last season.  He was a First Team All-ACC selection his junior year at Boston College after finishing second in the league in scoring at 20.7 points per game.

In his ninth NBA season, Thomas appeared in 40 games (37 starts), averaging 12.2 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting .413 percentage from three-point range.  He was originally signed as free agent on July 9, 2019.

“Isaiah was a consummate professional and leader for us while being a tremendous family man and he was able to use his time here to show that he is still a valuable contributor both on and off the court,” said Sheppard.  “We are happy to have been able to give him that opportunity and wish him the best of luck moving forward.”

Sanon was drafted by the Wizards with the 44th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Ukrainian national spent the last two seasons overseas in Slovenia and Ukraine, while also participating in Las Vegas Summer League with the Wizards in 2018 and 2019.

wizards-acquire-jerome-robinson-from-clippers

Wizards acquire Jerome Robinson from Clippers

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The Wizards will open their 2019 Summer League slate on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans at 10:00 P.M. ET on ESPN. The game will include the anticipated debut of No. 9 pick Rui Hachimura, with Troy Brown Jr. and Admiral Schofield headlining the team as well. No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, who bruised his left knee on Friday night, will not play for the Pelicans.

Rui Hachimura will make his debut on Saturday, one that many around the world are looking forward to. Summer League head coach Robert Pack said on Friday he expects Hachimura to start at power forward, and he could have some opportunities to play with bigger lineups as well as play center. Players and coaches have been impressed with Hachimura so far, especially by his athleticism and versatility. Hachimura is ready for his first appearance in a Wizards uniform, repeatedly saying on Friday to the media how excited he was to play.

Back home in Las Vegas, Troy Brown Jr. has taken on a leadership role this week, serving as the experienced voice in the group. Though he’s only 19, Brown is mature beyond his years, and has done a great job bonding the team heading into their first game. After averaging almost 10 points per game in the last 15 games of last season, Brown will be playing with the most confidence so far in his early career. He’s ready to prove he’s one of the best young players in the league, and it all starts on Saturday.

Second round pick Admiral Schofield will also make his Wizards debut on Saturday. The swingman has demonstrated a high motor, excellent perimeter shooting, and tough defense during minicamp the past few weeks. Tarik Phillip, who the Wizards signed on the last day of the season, is an impactful wing who will get plenty of opportunity. Rookie Justin Robinson and 2018 second round pick Issuf Sanon should both see plenty of action at point guard. Rookie Garrison Mathews (Lipscomb) is a big wing who can really shoot the ball. Veteran Jeff Withey and former Sixers first round pick Anzejs Pasecniks will see action at center, though the Wizards will likely go small with Hachimura at times. Washington also has two rookie guards out of Houston – Corey Davis and Armoni Brooks – who play with great energy.

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Wizards face Pelicans in 2019 Summer League opener

Jerry Brewer, Washington Post: “In today’s NBA, there is no such thing as having too many wings. Positional duplication doesn’t really matter as long as all of the players are multidimensional. It’s most important to have options, and on many levels, the Washington Wizards increased their options Thursday night…Who is Brown? He’s more of a playmaker on the wing. The Oregon freshman, who doesn’t turn 19 until July 28, must improve as a shooter. He made just 29.1 percent of his three-pointers, but he was a young player who took questionable shots. His strengths are defense, basketball intelligence and versatility. He isn’t Porter or Oubre. He gives the Wizards a new dimension on the wing. He gives them another player who can create offense for others… Imagine the Wizards playing more small ball with Porter or Oubre at power forward. Imagine stealing minutes with Satoransky, Brown, Oubre and Porter playing together with a big man, and they’re all virtually the same size, and Satoransky and Brown possess lead guard abilities.”

Candace Buckner, Washington Post (Twitter): “The #Wizards drafting a wing and going with Troy Brown Jr., who zoomed up draft boards, says a lot. Brown competed against Zhaire Smith in three separate workouts and shined.”

Jerry Brewer, Washington Post: “Brown gives the team another facilitator, a playmaker who doesn’t have to do it from the point guard position. Brown is uncommon because he’s a one-and-done prodigy with a game that isn’t all about athleticism. His upside is his skill and basketball IQ. He needs to spend more time working on his body and trying to get a little more athletic than he does learning the nuances of the game. He already has a great feel, and he’s a mature player despite his age. His savvy can make the Wizards better, provided he tightens up his shooting and takes advantage of NBA training.”

Tim Bontemps, Washington Post: “One of the youngest players in this class, Brown gives the Wizards another long wing player who can defend multiple positions. That’s a formula Washington employed with success three years ago in drafting Kelly Oubre Jr., and the team will hope it happens that way again here with Brown.”

Matthew Giles, Washington Post: “What (Brown) did well, though, was a bit of everything. His assist rate — 19 percent — ranked second on the squad, and he converted more than four two-point field goals per 40 minutes, showcasing an ability to ably score in the half-court (59.5 percent at the rim). Brown’s jumper is still evolving — he made just 16 threes in Pac-12 play — but the freshman most often shined on the defensive side of the ball, swiping more than two steals per 40 minutes, which he accomplished while committing a scant two fouls per 40 minutes. Brown has the speed and length to disrupt opposing ballhandlers, and possesses a high level of anticipation, which helped transform Brown one of the best on-ball defenders in DI.”

Jay Bilas, ESPN: “Troy Brown Jr. is another guy who has long arms, 6'10.5" wingspan. He's really versatile. He can do it all. He knows how to play at a very good skill level. He passes it well. More of a right-hand driver that's pretty good at pick-and-rolls. He improved his shooting throughout the course of the season under Dana Altman and a solid defender. I wouldn't call him super athletic on the NBA level but a good athlete. He needs to improve his efficiency, but his versatility is really his calling card. He does everything pretty well.”

Chauncey Billups, ESPN: “To me, he reminds me of a lot of Andre Iguodala. Swiss army knife. He can do it all out there. Not going to be a high-volume shooter. Will defend, will make other guys better. I think this is a very good pickup for this team.”

Chase Hughes, NBC Sports Washington: “Brown offers versatility on both ends of the floor. He is an adept rebounder and passer for his size at 6-foot-7. And his agility and 6-foot-10 wingspan allow him to guard a multitude of positions on defense.  Brown's versatility goes beyond his physical attributes. The Wizards see a player well beyond his years in terms of basketball IQ. He is the son of two Nevada state correctional officers, which suggests a level of discipline. He speaks with maturity beyond his years.  Adding Brown gives the Wizards depth and options and those are always good things.”

Benjamin Hoffman and Marc Tracy, New York Times: “A member of the heralded 2016 FIBA U-17 World Championship team, Brown is a do-everything wing who has the potential to be a two-way standout. His numbers don’t leap off the page, but his success in any role Oregon put him in makes him a versatile option in the mold of Andre Iguodala. He would benefit from landing on a team that is willing to use his versatility to its advantage.  Could he be the glue guy that fixes what has been missing in Washington? He doesn’t have to be a go-to scorer with John Wall and Bradley Beal in town, so the Wizards may be a team that lets Brown do all of the other little things he excels at, which is probably ideal at least in the early portion of his career.”

Will McCollister, Sports Illustrated: “The Wizards opted for Brown here, with his versatility and fit alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal serving as key selling points. He can play on the ball, can defend multiple positions, and is still young for this draft class, suggesting there is untapped upside. Brown isn’t a great shooter and will require some refinement as a scorer, but won’t have to shoulder much of that load in Washington. Adding a young wing who has a variety of pathways to being successful is a sensible decision.”

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation: “Brown was raised as a point guard his entire life before moving to the wing when he got to Oregon. He’s a versatile defender who has retained his passing and ball handling ability from all those years spent playing lead guard. This is a solid pick.”

Aaron Fentress, NBC Sports Northwest: “He has elite level length – 6-7 with a long wingspan...he can defend multiple positions. He’s not overly athletic, but he’s athletic enough. He’s a pretty good passer and he’s a conscientious passer, so he’s not a ball-hog.  Give him two-three years to develop his jump shot to become better from three-point range. If he can become an outside shooting threat, now you have a legitimate starter. At the very least, he’s a good rotation player.”

Michael Singer, USA Today: “Brown Jr. is a Swiss army knife of talent. While not necessarily a reliable scorer, the switchable wing checks many other boxes, including rebounding, physicality and athleticism.”

Jonathan Tjarks, The Ringer: “Brown slipped under the radar while playing for a disappointing Oregon team, but it’s not surprising that a player with his combination of size (6-foot-7 and 208 pounds, with a 6-foot-10 wingspan), ball handling, and passing ability wound up right outside the lottery.”

Spencer Davies, Basketball Insiders (Twitter): “If you're a team looking for a point forward that can play and guard multiple positions, Troy Brown is your guy.  Wizards get a "Mr. Do It All" in Troy Brown.”

Kevin Sheehan, ESPN 980 (Twitter): “I like Troy Brown...defense will remind of Ariza. Shooting will be fine.”

Andrew Nemec, Oregonian (Twitter): “Troy Brown Jr. was a joy to cover as a HS recruit - engaging, well-spoken, thought-provoking and an easy smile. Wish him the absolute best at the NBA level. High character guy that Washington will find easy to root for.”

Charlie DiSturco, NBC Sports Washington: “Sanon is a defensive-minded combo guard that is not expected to be ready for the next few years. However, he thrived defensively, allowing just 0.471 points per isolation possession, according to the NBA. That ranks in the 92nd percentile. In the past two seasons in Ukraine’s second division, Sanon averaged 4.6 steals per game. The biggest area of improvement for Sanon is developing his offensive game further. Sanon’s strength comes in transition and his 6-4 frame helps him when slashing to the rim.”

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated: “After participating in the NBA’s Global Elite Camp, Sanon opted to declare for the draft and is one of the youngest players available. A native of Ukraine, Sanon made his name at the 2017 U19 European Championship and joined Olimpija in January, establishing himself as one of the better teenage prospects in Europe. Rangy, athletic combo guard who plays both ends of the floor. Puts pressure on the rim. Likes to get downhill and attack the basket. Shows flashes in transition. Lots of natural talent. Leaper who can finish above the rim and throw it down. Prefers to elevate off one foot. Good change of direction off the dribble. Handle still developing. Hard to stay in front of with a full head of steam. Competes hard defensively. Motor isn’t in question.”

Mike Schmitz, ESPN (Twitter): “What a year for Issuf Sanon. Went from relative unknown to a top-45 pick. Blew up at the U18s, moved to Olimpija in Ljubljana, balled at the global camp. Enjoyed our visit in Slovenia earlier this year. Ultra-confident and competitive. Nice stash given Sanon's age + situation.”

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated (Twitter): “FWIW, Issuf Sanon is my favorite non-Doncic international in this draft. Will end up surprising people.”

Evan Daniels, 247 Sports/Fox Sports 1 (Twitter): “Saw Issuf Sanon at the u18 European Championships last summer. Competitive and plus athlete at the guard spot.”

Nick Tuths, Get Up!, ESPN (Twitter): “A weird name to keep an eye on later is Issuf Sanon. Interesting physical profile. Has sneaky end to end speed. Got REALLY confident in the last 4-6 months, and started pulling up on teams, and they were completely taken aback by it. Definitely a draft and stash project. But fun.”

Jake Pavorsky, EV Hoops: “Favorite draft picks from last night: Wendell Carter at 7, Knox at 9, Lonnie at 18, Brunson at 33, Trent at 37, Khyri at 38, Issuf Sanon at 44, Devon Hall at 53.”

Ian Evans, Locked on Wizards (Twitter): “Wizards finally have guys for a “great defense/switch everything and run” lineup. Multiple lineups, honestly. Issuf Sanon will be a good defender from day one. So will Brown. And both guys have lots of upside. Promise I’m not crazy - I like this draft for Wiz.”

what-theyre-saying-about-the-wizards-draft

What they're saying about the Wizards’ Draft

With pick No. 44 in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Wizards selected Issuf Sanon, a 6’4” combo guard out of Ukraine. Sanon, only 18, currently plays in the first division of the Slovenian League after averaging 19.6 points per game in the second division. He played for Ukraine’s U18 National Team at the 2017 U18 Euros, averaging 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 2.7 assists per game.

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld explained the team’s decision to draft an international player who they could stash overseas. Washington chose not to use a roster spot with their second round pick, something a lot of teams will do later in the draft.

“There were some players that we liked that were picked ahead of him,” Grunfeld said after the pick. “We have 10 players under contract already and the first-round pick, so that’s 11 [players]. There’s a couple of other guys that we want to get on our roster, so we wanted to get a young, developing player.”

Sanon has a great feel for the game and can finish around the rim. The Wizards were impressed with his athleticism, motor up and down the floor, his shot, and of course his potential. The idea of keeping him overseas is similar to what the Wizards did with Tomas Satoransky, who was drafted in 2012 and did not come to the NBA until the 2016-17 season.

��He’s a good ball-handler, very competitive and a lot like Tomas,” Grunfeld said. “We drafted Tomas at an earlier age, he went overseas [and] he played at the highest level and it got him ready for the NBA.”

Sanon plans to join the Wizards at NBA Summer League this July, where he will be able to gain valuable playing time and see the talent pool he was drafted with. Satoransky did the same after he was picked in 2012, and the experience of just coming over to the United States is important for these young international players.

"This is a good experience for me. Summer League is a good league for experience and I hope this is good for me,” Sanon said. “I'm young and I'm learning this basketball."

Sanon told reporters he plans to come overseas on July 1. He will join first-round pick Troy Brown Jr. on the Wizards’ summer squad in what should be an intriguing Summer League roster.

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The Wizards' plan for second-round pick Issuf Sanon

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Wizards selected Troy Brown Jr. out of Oregon and Issuf Sanon out of Slovenia in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Brown Jr., a 6-7, 215-pound swingman, was selected with the 15th overall pick. In his lone season at Oregon, he averaged 11.3 points, a team-high 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists.  In addition, he recorded a team-best 55 steals and finished just one assist shy of a triple double against Portland State on Dec. 13 when he recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high nine assists.

“Troy is a very versatile player with a high basketball IQ, great work ethic and outstanding character,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “He will be able to play and defend three positions and his playmaking abilities will allow him to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.”

A native of Las Vegas, NV, Brown was selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit in 2017 at Centennial High School.  He was also a member of the gold medal-winning 2016 USA Basketball Men’s U17 World Championship team.

“I was impressed with Troy both on and off the court throughout the draft process and I’m excited to have him work with our coaches throughout the summer,” said Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks. “His size, toughness and all-around game make him a good fit for our roster and will give him the opportunity to earn minutes as a young player.”

Sanon, a 6-4, 177-pound guard, was selected 44th overall by the Wizards. He averaged 22.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists over the last two seasons in Ukraine’s 2nd Division before moving to Olimpija in Slovenia in January.

“Issuf is a young player who will be able to continue to play at a high level overseas and develop his game as we monitor him, much like we did with Tomas Satoransky,” said Grunfeld. “His athleticism, size and competitive nature were all very intriguing and we feel he can be a player who will help us in the future after gaining more experience.”

A native of Ukraine, Sanon averaged 19.3 points (second in the division), 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.7 assists with Ukraine’s U18 National Team at the 2017 U18 Euros.

Issuf Sanon

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Wizards face Pelicans in 2019 Summer League opener

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The Wizards' plan for second-round pick Issuf Sanon

Wizards select Troy Brown Jr. and Issuf Sanon in 2018 NBA Draft