Bilal Coulibaly’s summer was supposed to be about growth. The 21 year old guard carried high expectations into EuroBasket after showing progress in his second NBA season with the Washington Wizards. France leaned on him through group play, but his scoring dipped at key moments including just four points in a loss to Israel. By the time France exited in the round of 16 against Georgia, the rising forward’s confidence had already taken a hit. And now the Wizards have been hit with more troubling news.

Washington entered training camp hopeful that Coulibaly’s summer run would set him up for a breakout third year. He started 59 games last season and averaged 12.3 points, 5 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Those numbers marked a step forward from his rookie campaign, even if his shooting efficiency remained a concern. For a franchise still stuck in a rebuild after an 18-64 record, his development was viewed as one of the brighter spots. But just as the Wizards looked for optimism, fresh reports revealed a setback that will alter their start to the season.

Shams Charania took to X and broke the story on Friday. “Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery Friday to repair a ligament tear in his right thumb and is likely to miss time into the regular season, sources tell ESPN. Coulibaly sustained the injury with the French national team during FIBA EuroBasket play”. The update confirmed the whispers surrounding his health, ending speculation about his availability for opening night. For the Wizards, it was a blow that arrived just weeks before their new campaign tipped off.

The injury details underscored the severity. Coulibaly tore a ligament in his right thumb during EuroBasket group play in late August, an injury that required surgical repair on September 12. ESPN and RotoWire both reported that the procedure will keep him sidelined into the 2025-26 season. The French guard averaged 9.7 points across the group stage before struggling in his final appearances against Israel- scoring only 4 points on 1-for-4 shooting. It continued a pattern of injuries for Coulibaly, whose rookie year ended with a fractured wrist and sophomore campaign closed early by a hamstring issue.

This setback complicates Washington’s rotation. With Coulibaly recovering, the Wizards are expected to lean on Khris Middleton and second year forward Kyshawn George, while Cam Whitmore also has a chance to earn minutes. The organization is counting on stability after last year’s 18 win season, but starting without one of their key young players makes the challenge steeper. As one report noted, “With Coulibaly sidelined to begin the season, second-year forward Kyshawn George is a prime candidate to start at forward alongside veteran Khris Middleton”. For a rebuilding roster, the absence of its top 2023 draft pick is hard to ignore and will test their depth immediately.

The Wizards might be running out of reasons to believe in Bilal Coulibaly

The Washington Wizards have built their roster on swings of potential. Hoping one of their young prospects emerges as a franchise cornerstone. Since the departures of John Wall and Bradley Beal, Washington has lacked a true building block. Coulibaly, the No. 7 pick in the 2023 draft, was supposed to be that player. His size and defensive instincts offered the profile of a future two way standout, but consistency has been missing, and injuries have made that growth harder to gauge.

While Coulibaly has shown flashes, his career to date has been interrupted by a fractured wrist, a hamstring issue, and now a thumb surgery. Offensively, his outside shooting has lagged behind expectations at just 28.1 percent from deep last season. Defensively, foul trouble has limited his impact in stretches.

His EuroBasket campaign with France was expected to be a proving ground, but instead it mirrored many of the same struggles Wizards fans have already seen. That run ended with disappointment and now an injury that delays his year three progress.

The bigger question is how long Washington can afford to wait. With recent top 10 picks Alex Sarr and Tre Johnson drawing focus, the front office may soon have to reassess Coulibaly’s place in their long term plans.

Some believe a change of scenery could benefit both sides if his development stalls further. For a franchise desperate for direction, patience is wearing thin. If this season begins with more setbacks than steps forward, the Wizards might be forced to move on from their former lottery pick sooner than expected.