The Wizards Preached This Year's Main Goal is Player Development, They're Starting to Make That Happen

Wizards head coach Brian Keefe uses the word "process" all the time. When he says that, he's not talking about the traditional "process" coined by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2010s. 

His process focuses on the day-to-day life of a young NBA player. With a roster full of players 24-years-old and younger, certain things stand out. How players practice, their habits in the film-room, and many other forms of preparation. 

"If we keep focusing on our process, the results will show for it," Brian Keefe said in his pregame press conference yesterday.

Over the last ten games, that process has led to hopeful results for a brighter Wizards future. Last night's 119-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets was the team's fourth win in the last five contests -- and sixth win in the last ten. 

Washington's 99 points allowed was the second-lowest total it allowed all season -- albeit Brooklyn missing three of its top players.

"I think that we're learning is that the consistency of defense is going to carry the day for our team," Keefe said following the win. "Teams are going to go on runs, teams are going to make shots, but can you buckle down and get stops?"

Alex Sarr's rim protection has helped in a massive way over the last two weeks. He put up another five blocks in the win. The second-year center has 24 blocks in his last six games.

"It's the number one thing for him, our team, our organization," Keefe said. "He's here to protect the rim and he's a great shot blocker...he's an anchor."

Keefe said that Sarr's growth has come from garnering a better understanding of team defense, including learning the scheme and coverages.  It wasn't just Sarr. Team defense has a whole has improved over the last two weeks.

The team hasn't allowed 130 or more in that stretch. Yes, that's not saying a lot, but the team nearly averaged 130 points allowed per game at that point. They're allowing 113.6 per game over the last ten games.

"Defense wins game," Justin Champagnie, who scored a game-high 20 points, said when asked what he's learned the most from Keefe. "If you don't come to play on defense, most things won't happen."

Champagnie embodies doing the dirty work for the Wizards. His constant presence on the offensive glass transforms the Wizards' offensive outlook. He, Marvin Bagley III, and Bilal Coulibaly have all been a spark for the team in that realm.

"Scoring is cool, but it's about how you show up," Champagnie said.  "Sometimes things I do don't show up on the stat sheet, but you kind of see it on the floor. Try to just bank on that; try to bank on being a winning player."

Now, when it comes to overall numbers, the Wizards still sit second to last in defensive rating and fourth from the bottom offensively. However, Washington was last in both categories at one point, while also boasting a defensive rating on pace for the worst in NBA history.

"We still have a long ways to go. This is early in the process for us," Keefe said.  "We're learning how the importance of that, and how we have to focus in and that really triggers our offense for us."

There's plenty of other indicators of growth in D.C. Whether it's Tre Johnson's recent surge, or Bub Carrington's ascension from the depth of a forgettable start of his sophomore campaign, there's real indication of improvement.

"Everyone's contributing to these games," Keefe said. "They're doing it together, and that's how we want to grow our team. It's a team sport." 

You can't talk about player development without highlighting Sarr's rise on offense. A player who looked often lost at times in his rookie season, appears to have changed his outlook on that end. Sarr only made 36% of his looks from 3-10 feet from the basket in his rookie season. In 2025, he's at a much improved 44.5%. Additionally, he's making nearly 78% of his looks right at the rim.

Sarr often references his shot selection, which has been a huge contributor to his offensive breakout. Instead of fading away from the basket, he's getting paint touches. Instead of hanging around the three-point line, he's rolling to the rim with purpose. 

Despite his massive improvements, Sarr hasn't cracked the top-20 for All-Star fan voting.

"I just think we got to keep winning. That's the only thing we can focus on," Sarr said.

Whether or not this recent Wizards' surge will continue remains to be seen. Regardless, the improvements made by their young players mark a significant sign of progress for an organization trying to establish a core and identity. 

Sarr said he believes the buy-in defensively has led to more urgency from the team over this run.