Bilal Coulibaly is a French professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on 26 July 2004 in Saint-Cloud, France, he rose through the French basketball ranks before being selected seventh overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2023 NBA draft. His draft rights were traded to Washington, where he has become a promising young talent. Coulibaly has also represented France on the international stage, earning a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Bilal Coulibaly Bio
Bilal Coulibaly stands at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) and plays the shooting guard position. He began his basketball journey in the suburbs of Paris and developed into one of France’s most promising young players. His combination of size, athleticism, and defensive instincts drew attention from NBA scouts during his time with Metropolitans 92. Coulibaly has established himself as a two-way player capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
Early Life and Background
Coulibaly was born on 26 July 2004 in Saint-Cloud, France, a commune located in the western suburbs of Paris. He grew up in nearby Courbevoie, where he began playing basketball at the age of eight for Courbevoie Sport Basket. His early development continued with the youth team of Levallois Sporting Club Basket, joining their program in 2017. Coulibaly is of Malian descent, which connects him to his heritage through his family background.
Path to Basketball
His progression through the French basketball system accelerated during his teenage years. The Levallois program provided a strong foundation for his development, exposing him to structured coaching and competitive youth basketball. His performances at the youth level caught the attention of scouts from larger French clubs, setting the stage for his transition to professional basketball. The French development system, known for producing talented players like Victor Wembanyama, offered him the pathway to reach higher levels of competition.
Bilal Coulibaly Career
Metropolitans 92 (2021–2023)
Coulibaly began his professional basketball career in 2021, joining Metropolitans 92 and playing in the LNB Espoirs, which is the French under-21 league. He spent his first season developing his skills against other young players in the French system. During the 2022–23 season, he began the year playing for the Metropolitans 92 under-21 team before earning a promotion to the senior roster. His impressive performance in the Espoirs competition, where he averaged 21.9 points, 2.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, demonstrated his all-around abilities and potential. During his time with Metropolitans 92, he played alongside Victor Wembanyama, who would later become the NBA Rookie of the Year, providing him with valuable experience competing against high-level talent daily.
Washington Wizards Breakthrough (2023–Present)
The Indiana Pacers selected Coulibaly with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. However, his draft rights were immediately traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for two future second-round picks and the draft rights to Jarace Walker. On 2 July 2023, he officially signed with the Wizards and joined the team for NBA Summer League play. He performed well during the Summer League, averaging 12.3 points and 4.8 rebounds across four games, showing flashes of his scoring ability and athleticism.
Coulibaly made his NBA debut on 25 October 2023 in the Wizards’ season opener against his former team, the Indiana Pacers. In that game, a 143–120 loss, he recorded three points, four rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in 23 minutes of play. Shortly after his debut, on 30 October, he achieved another milestone when he started a game against the Boston Celtics, becoming the youngest player in Wizards franchise history to start a game at just 19 years and 96 days old. He recorded his first double-double on 8 December against the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. On 18 March 2024, the Wizards announced that Coulibaly would miss the remainder of the 2023–24 season due to a right wrist fracture sustained in a game against the Chicago Bulls. In his rookie season, he appeared in 63 games, starting 15, and averaged 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
During the 2024–25 NBA season, Coulibaly took on a larger role with the Wizards, starting 59 contests. He improved his production to 12.3 points, five rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, showing development in his offensive game and playmaking abilities. In March 2025, he suffered a right hamstring strain that forced him to miss the remainder of the season. Following the injury, on 12 September 2025, it was announced that he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.
Driving Style and Strengths
Coulibaly has established himself as a two-way player with promising defensive instincts and developing offensive skills. His size for a shooting guard allows him to guard multiple positions, and his shot-blocking ability was evident from his early NBA games. He has shown good court vision and playmaking skills, contributing significantly in assists despite his young age. His athleticism enables him to finish at the rim and make plays in transition.
Notable Events and Milestones
His rapid ascent from Metropolitans 92 to the NBA represented one of the faster development timelines for a French prospect. Becoming the youngest player to start a game in Wizards franchise history at 19 years old demonstrated his readiness for NBA competition. His selection as the seventh overall pick in a draft class that included several other promising international players highlighted the high regard scouts had for his potential.
Bilal Coulibaly Career Highlights
Throughout his young career, Coulibaly has accumulated notable achievements across both domestic and international competition. His most significant accomplishment came with the French national team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he earned a silver medal after France fell to the United States in the gold medal game. Domestically, his strong performances in the French development leagues led directly to his first-round NBA selection.
International Honors
Before his Olympic success, Coulibaly represented France at the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship. Over seven games, he averaged 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and one assist per game as France finished in fifth place. The Olympic silver medal at Paris 2024 represents the pinnacle of his international career thus far, as he competed against the world’s best players and helped France secure second place on home soil.
NBA Achievements
In the NBA, his rookie season saw him play 63 games with 15 starts, establishing himself as a rotation player on a young Wizards team. His sophomore season showed significant improvement, with 59 starts and averages of 12.3 points, five rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. His NBA draft selection as the seventh overall pick in 2023 remains the most significant milestone of his professional career to date.
National Team Career
Coulibaly’s international career began with the France national under-18 team at the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship. His performance in that tournament, averaging 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and one assist over seven games, helped France finish in fifth place. This experience on the European stage prepared him for larger responsibilities with the senior national team. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, he played for the French senior national team, earning a silver medal after France was defeated by the United States in the finals. The Olympic experience provided him with invaluable exposure to elite-level competition.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season represented a significant step forward in Coulibaly’s development with the Washington Wizards. After a rookie season interrupted by injury, he entered his second year with a clearer role and more confidence. Starting 59 games, he showed improvement in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, demonstrating the Wizards’ investment in his long-term development was yielding results. The team relied on him as a core piece of their young core alongside other developing players. His season was cut short by a right hamstring strain in March 2025, and he subsequently underwent surgery for a torn ligament in his right thumb in September 2025. Despite the injuries, his progression throughout the season suggested he has the tools to become a significant contributor in the NBA. The Wizards remain committed to his development as they continue their rebuilding process with a youthful roster.