Raul Barrigon
 |  USA TODAY Sports

Bilal Coulibaly finished his sophomore NBA season averaging 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Although his three-point percentage dipped to 28.1 percent, he proved he has the makings of a core piece for the Wizards thanks to his elite defensive skills.

The seventh pick of the 2023 draft sat down with HoopsHype in Cairo, where he was attending the Egypt Cup Final, the Jr. NBA League Finals and helping the Al Hassan Foundation, to discuss his game, Victor Wembanyama, Eurobasket and more.

You’re attending the Egypt Cup and Jr. NBA League Finals. Is it your first time there in Cairo?

Bilal Coulibaly: It is, yeah, I was about to say it’s my first time here. My sister’s been here before and she told me it was nice, but I was not expecting that actually. It’s better than I thought, so I like it.

The Wizards have their D-Day tomorrow with the draft lottery. Have you watched Cooper Flagg play?

BC: Yeah, I’ve watched a lot of him. I’ve watched a lot of his games. He’s a good player. He doesn’t make any really big mistakes. He’s playing good basketball when he has to, he’s not forcing it. He can score, pass the ball, rebound, do anything on the court.

What are your plans for the next couple of months with regard to preparing for next season?

BC: I’m working on my game a lot. I’ll focus on my handle and my three-point shooting so I can come back and feel way smoother and more comfortable on the court. I’ll be in DC, I’ll be probably in Dallas for a little bit too because my agency is based there, so I’ll be working out with them. I’ll be in France too so anywhere I go I’ll be working on my game.

Have you started to experience that the game is slowing down for you?

BC: For sure, yeah. As soon as I stepped on the court in my second season, I felt like the game slowed down a little bit, actually a lot. It was just easier to get to the rims, to make stops. I could read the game way easier.

What do you think was your best game of the season?

BC: The Hawks games versus Trae Young because defensively I felt like I was everywhere. It was some great two-way performances.

And the most difficult player to guard?

BC: De’Aaron Fox just because he’s really, really fast, man.

What have you learned playing against Kawhi Leonard and Mikal Bridges?

BC: A lot. I didn’t talk with them, but yeah, I’ve watched a lot of them. I keep watching a lot of them in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Clippers are out, but I still watch Mikal Bridges. He’s done a great job defensively. In the first two games against the Celtics, he had those two stops. That’s really impressive for a player. The anticipation was crazy, I loved it.

Which players from your draft class are becoming great two-way players?

BC: Amen Thompson can be one of those two-way players, I mean he’s already proven it. He’s done a great job in the playoffs. Playing good defense against Steph Curry is not easy! Even offensively, he’s here making baskets. He’s been one of the best players in Houston in his first playoffs, so it’s impressive.

Have you had the chance to talk to Wemby about the whole blood clot situation?

BC: I don’t know a lot about it but I just talked to his parents and they told me he was feeling better.

Are you worried about the increase in blood clot cases?

BC: There’s been some bad end of careers like that but the guys were old and it was a long time ago. Now, everything is different. The research that people do is way different. I’m sure he’ll get through it.

Are you playing the upcoming Eurobasket with France?

BC: Yeah, I’m planning to go. I’ve talked with everybody in the organization, and everybody agreed so there’s no problem about it.