How good is Bilal Coulibaly? Sam Presti travels to see Victor Wembanyama’s teammate

The Oklahoma City Thunder own the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. While recent Mock Drafts are split on where Sam Presti will go with this selection, the team’s recent history in this slot should encourage the OKC Thunder fanbase.

Throughout this process, rumors have swirled around Bricktown on what Oklahoma City will do in the Draft. With reports of the Thunder looking to trade up the board to whispers of another draft promise to an international draft prospect, we have to sit back and wait for Draft night as speculation runs rampant.

Reports of OKC Thunder decision maker traveling to see Victor Wembanyama’s teammate, Bilal Coulibaly, only grow rumored promise.

The Mets92, led by Bilal Coulibaly and Victor Wembanyama, played in the Finals over the weekend. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo “The Jazz and Thunder both sent decision-makers to Monaco this week to take another look at Coulibaly.'” 

While Woo did not outright say it, it is believed that Sam Presti is the decision-maker in question that traveled to Monaco last week to evaluate Bilal Coulibaly.

Is the 18-year-old wing worth the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft? His ceiling makes him a very appealing option.

According to Synergy, Coulibaly ranks in the 69th percentile of overall offense, 69th percentile in half-court settings, 46th percentile in transition, 60th percentile as a spot-up shooter, 69th percentile as a cutter, and the 98th percentile on put-backs. In the 78th percentile in overall defense and 61st percentile as an iso-defender.

As a catch-and-shoot option, Coulibaly knocks down 37 percent of his tries, at the rim, he scores at a 67 percent clip which places him in the 79th percentile.

His ability to cut, play within the floor of the offense off-ball, a plus ball-handler/playmaker for his size, and defensive versatility make his fit with Mark Daigneault’s squad very appealing.

The 2023 NBA Draft is a unique case for the OKC Thunder. While sitting at pick 12 is typically not the most appetizing slot pre-draft, there is such an overload of talent that a very quality draft prospect will fall to the 12th selection in the draft.