Wizards Notes: Bilal Coulibaly's Shot, Carrington's Comments

The Washington Wizards have one practice left in training camp this week as preseason inches closer and the open practice officially in the rear view mirror. Notes from Friday's practice:

Friday Training Camp Update

After wrapping up the team's open practice on Thursday, Friday marked a light day on the floor for the team as head coach Brian Keefe instead pointed to the chance to teach situational basketball in a "purposeful" day.

Yet on a day where the Wizards focused on installs, Deandre Ayton pointed to his teammates' IQ and consistency as distinguishable traits

Though it's early, Keefe admitted that he's learned his new-look roster is a "connected group."

"You can see the conversations, the communication that's going on," Keefe said. "This is always the time for your learning about where you are and what you can do and I love the conversations we're having on the court or in the film room or film sessions, that type of stuff. I think that's always the way you want to grow and get better, communicate and talk things through."

Keefe added that Middleton is inching closer toward being a full participant, was able to do some contact drills and played some one-on-one on Friday.

Coulibaly's Improved Shot Ahead of Year Four

The first Wizards' rookie in line for an extension, Coulibaly will instead enter the 2026-27 regular season on the final year of his rookie contract. That gives the 6-foot-7 guard/forward a chance to prove himself in his fourth season with the organization, especially on the offensive end of the floor.

Coulibaly has shot at least 42% from the field in each of his three seasons, though has yet to eclipse the league-average 36% shooting from three. Improving his shooting has remained an area of focus for the fourth-year wing, who pointed to his work with a shooting coach since the All Star break. Coulibaly admitted he felt "like I had my rhythm late in the season" after posting five 20-point games over the final two months.

Now, Coulibaly noted the hitch at the top of his shot is now gone, something he worked on through "a lot, every day, it's reps, it's so many reps." His shooting touch looked fluid during three point shooting drills in Thursday's open practice.

The commitment to improving as a shooter blossomed into an opportunity to become one of the versatile pieces that Keefe has pointed to, lineups that Coulibaly noted are "special."

For Coulibaly, the addition of the double big lineups allows him to be able to put more pressure as an on-ball defender. Coulibaly also acknowledged the impact of Trae Young's passing ability that creates opportunities for he and the rest of the roster, giving him an opportunity to unlock his two-way potential in a pivotal season. Coulibaly's rookie extension window officially closes at 6 PM ET on Oct. 19.

Ayton Embracing Double Big Identity

Deandre Ayton enters the upcoming regular season in a different role for arguably the first time in his NBA career. After starting in all but seven of his 470 career regular season appearances, Ayton's ability to serve as the third big in the rotation behind Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr serves as a key part of the offseason roster makeover.

With a clear commitment to improving team defense, Ayton will elevate the Wizards' chances of reversing last season's NBA's worst defense given the veteran center averaged double digit rebounds in all but one of his eight seasons, in addition to at least one block in each of the last two and four total seasons. Yet the chance to also play alongside another 7-footer reminds him of his days playing alongside Dusan Ristic at the University of Arizona.

"Big help big. If one of those guys help, I'll have their back. If I help, I expect them to have mine," Ayton added.

The added size has been a continued point of emphasis after Keefe pointed to the lineup versatility that the Wizards now pose, now featuring the personnel to improve on the glass and in the paint. Yet the arrival of multiple established frontcourt pieces also allows the guards to create as Ayton joked that Trae Young, "should be in the candy store" with the talent around him. Ayton was also complimentary of the young talent along the roster.

"They're really just students of the game. That's all you can really ask for as well. They take constructive criticism really well and give it, they lash it out as well because they know the game."

New Addition

The Wizards announced a slight change to its training camp roster after announcing on Friday that G League guard Jazian Gortman was signed to an Exhibit 10 deal, taking the spot of forward Steve Settle III, who was waived in a corresponding move.

Gortman, a 6-foot-2 guard originally from South Carolina, joins the organization after spending three seasons in the G League, though his two-way stint with Dallas led him to suit up in 16 games for the Mavericks during the 2024-25 season, averaging 1.5 points. Gortman began his professional career in 2022 after bypassing college to sign with an upstart professional league, leading him to go undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft.

No Punishment Expected

The Washington Wizards found themselves caught in another viral social media moment the night of Oct. 1 after a clip surfaced of guard Bub Carrington's comments in a one-on-one interview with WUSA 9.

Carrington told Marshall Kramsky of WUSA9 that he and his teammates were "held back" over the last two seasons as the Wizards combined to finish 35-129, culminating in the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft that landed AJ Dybantsa in Washington. Yet after multiple teams were disciplined for tanking during the 2025-26 season, The Athletic reported on Friday that neither Carrington nor the Wizards are not expected to be disciplined by the NBA.