2023 NBA Draft Prospect Highlights: Bilal Coulibaly
Overview
Bilal Coulibaly is a teammate of super prospect Victor Wembenyama, joining his fellow Frenchman on Metropolitans 92 of France’s LNB Pro A. Coulibaly is an 18-year-old wing with great athleticism, impressive hops and defensive upside. He’s been an established name on France’s FIBA youth squads and European Championship U18 team. Coulibaly did not attend the NBA Combine due to the Metropolitans 92 being amid a playoff run. He was a late addition to the 2023 draft cycle, with some believing he would declare in 2024 instead.
Analysis
Coulibaly is a difference-maker around the rim, moving well without the ball, pouncing on offensive rebounds and attacking the rim whenever possible. He pairs this explosiveness with good shooting in a small sample size, connecting on 43.8 percent of 38 three-point attempts this season. Most of those attempts were spot-up looks, and Coulibaly’s self-creation and scoring polish is still a work in progress in the half-court. Defense is where he’s been making the most impact. Pairing his athleticism with his size, Coulibaly could be a massive disruptor in switching schemes.
Projection
Defense will keep Coulibaly on the floor as a rookie, especially with his energy and versatility. It’s unlikely he’ll be tasked to make plays on offense, and his shooting is unproven, but he’s an active cutter and can explode to the rim. His shooting development will ultimately determine an NBA comparison, but until we know more, Tari Eason shares similarities.
— Profile by RotoWire