Bilal Coulibaly is a Top 5 pick, here's why:
Rising Above the Rest: Bilal Coulibaly's Potential to be a Top 5 NBA Draft Pick
French wing Bilal Coulibaly is the most fascinating prospect of the 2023 NBA Draft cycle. Coulibaly’s unique combination of length, fluidity, defensive versatility, and upside is causing him to soar up draft boards of some of the most respected front-office personnel throughout the league. Playing alongside the most coveted prospect of the decade in Victor Wembanyama on Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92, Coulibaly has been the primary beneficiary of the scouts that are constantly in attendance at the 4,000-seater arena in Levallois-Perret, a commune just Northwest of Paris.
The French-born 6’7” Coulibaly of Mali descent is on a skyrocketing trajectory due to a late growth spurt seeing him grow around 8” over the past 2 years. This rare combination of guard skills in a long wing (Coulibaly has a 7’3” wingspan) and being uber-athletic makes him highly coveted by those in the lottery. At this point in his development, Coulibaly’s main selling point is his defensive versatility. I’m confident when I say he could immediately step into the NBA today and guard 1-4. Doing all this as one of the youngest prospects in this draft cycle demonstrates his potential as an All-NBA defender.
Currently, the best way to describe Coulibaly is to express his importance beyond the box score. Coulibaly possesses infectious energy that spreads to his teammates, often shown through his fabulous +/-’s. This is 10x more impressive when considering Coulibaly has impacted the outcome of several French Pro A playoff games. Coulibaly has helped guide his Mets 92 to the French Pro A Finals against Monaco, a talented squad in their own right.
Coulibaly’s Offensive Upside
Coulibaly offensive upside makes him so intriguing in the eyes of scouts. The long-striding 6’7” wing is a highly effective player in transition due to his exceptional athleticism that allows him to play above the rim. Another part of his game that makes him such an attractive selection is his ability to get his own without plays being called for him. When you watch the tape, Coulibaly is often getting his offensive output from doing little yet immensely effective moves within the flow of the offense, such as attack closeouts of the bounce to get to the cup or shooting to keep the defense honest. The 3-pointer determines the ceiling of his upside as so far, Coulibaly has shown no reluctance to let it fly, to which he shot an extraordinary 45.2% from 3, albeit on low attempts.
League Him - Bilal Coulibaly Full Season Highlights
With second-to-none measurables combined with athleticism, I firmly believe Coulibaly has Top 5 upside in this class, which is remarkable for a player considered a 2024 Draft Prospect 6 months ago. This rapid rise to the front page of the 2023 NBA Draft leads me to believe this is just the beginning for a player we could eventually see on a $100M+ contract.
Coulibaly’s acceleration to the top of draft boards reminds me of Jalen ‘J-Dub’ Williams out of Santa Clara in last year’s cycle. His rapid trajectory started in his Junior year at Santa Clara and continued at the same speed throughout his first year in Oklahoma City playing under Coach Mark Daigneault. Not only is Coulibaly’s trajectory similar, but so is his potential role in an NBA offense to Williams. Williams is a lot further along offensively, but it would be encouraging for Coulibaly to reach Williams’ current offensive ability by his 3rd - 4th year, as it would show he has the ability to be a secondary scorer on a championship-level team.
Quick Note regarding Coulibaly’s Offensive Upside: If you go through the archives, Coulibaly shows lots of his upside through his U21 film, where he oozes confidence through his ability on the ball, getting to lots of moves in his bag while also exhibiting his underrated passing ability.
Coulibaly’s NBA Fit
Coulibaly is 100% going to be available at #5 overall when Troy Weaver and the Detroit Pistons are on the clock. That is his best fit. Playing off of ball-dominant players such as Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey should give Coulibaly opportunities to thrive off of the double-teams that they’ll receive, whether that be in the form of attacking closeouts or shooting his ever-improving 3-point jumper.
A player that I believe Coulibaly has the potential to become similar to is one that new Pistons coach Monty Williams coached in Mikal Bridges before the Suns shipped him off to Brooklyn in the KD trade. Coulibaly already possesses great defensive ability similar to that of Bridges, which includes positional versatility making him easily switchable. With the potential to become a well-rounded force on both ends of the court, like Bridges, Coulibaly promises to make a significant impact at the next level.
Wrap-Up
Bilal Coulibaly has emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft. His length, defensive versatility, and rapid development have garnered attention from front-office personnel across the league. Coulibaly’s defensive prowess, demonstrated by his ability to guard multiple positions, sets him apart. He possesses infectious energy and influences games beyond the box score, making him a valuable asset on both ends of the court.
Offensively, Coulibaly showcases exceptional athleticism and a growing skill set. His ability to excel in transition, attack closeouts, and shoot from beyond the arc adds versatility to his game. While his three-point shooting sample size is limited, his willingness to take and make shots suggests further potential for offensive growth.
Bilal Coulibaly is a Top 5 Pick in the 2023 NBA Draft with his skyrocketing trajectory.