Monumental Sports Network (DR)
By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
If the Wizards pleasantly surprise more than one observer at the start of the season, it is notably thanks to the excellent performances of Bilal Coulibaly. These have also allowed him to be honored symbolically in recent hours.
In the history of NBAonly seven players were crowned Most Improved Player as sophomores. The last occurrence dates back to 2007 and the triumph of Monta Ellis. However, given the start of the season, Bilal Coulibaly seems to be one of the main candidates for this distinction. After a rookie campaign averaging 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, he is indeed exploding all the counters.
Bilal Coulibaly hailed for his sparkling form… on 2K
In addition to a clear increase in offensive production compared to last year, Coulibaly is quite simply among the best outside defenders in the league since the restart. As evidence a mind-blowing statistic recently shared about him. While waiting to know if this will earn him being elected MIP at the end of the season, the young French winger has already been rewarded… on NBA 2K25:
Washington Wizards New NBA2k Ratings Update
Jordan Poole: 84 (+5)
Bilal Coulibaly: 81 (+4)
Kyle Kuzma: 81 (-2)
Alex Sarr: 77 (+2)
Corey Kispert: 77 (-1)
Bub Carrington: 74 (+4)
Kyshawn George: 73 (+3)
Jared Butler: 72 (+2)
Johnny Davis: 71 (+1)Bilal And Poole Getting BIG Jumps pic.twitter.com/23j1jj2GJY
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) November 7, 2024
Initially rated at 77 on the famous video game simulation, Bilal therefore inherits a +4 that could not be more deserved. Enough to now display a rating of 81, the second best of the Wizards with Kyle Kuzma. Proof of the importance taken by the international tricolor in the game of his franchise, he who indeed seems to have taken on the role of second option to perfection in recent days.
Also very solid recently, Jordan Poole saw his rating increase by 5 points to reach a value of 84. For his part, the other Frenchy Alex Sarr is gradually finding his feet across the Atlantic and obtaining a revaluation of +2 , thus becoming the 4th best Wiz’ player on 2K. All these alterations therefore had the effect of causing joy among DC fans:
@ravenwizardd : Oh shit! It’s true !?
@Wizardsfan44 : These are really good grades
@Serenit53512035 : Glad to see these changes!
@AsamuKyoGa2: We are finally regaining respect, fully behind Poole and Bilal, we are aiming for 85+ this season
@TheHonorableAT : Bilal is no longer going to leave the 80 club.
While waiting to eventually collect distinctions in real life, Bilal Coulibaly can be satisfied to see his recent prowess taken into account by NBA 2K. Let’s hope that it will continue to push video game developers to revise its rating upwards.
