Bilal Coulibaly underwent surgery on a right-thumb ligament, a move that likely sidelines him at the start of the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-old No. 7 pick averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in Eurobasket, flashing development after a breakout sophomore year (12.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Washington’s brightest young core—Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Will Riley—now faces an early-season rise in responsibility, joined by Cam Whitmore and other first‑round hopefuls. Veteran help from CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton, plus a reshaped rotation after Poole’s move to New Orleans, keeps playoff odds distant ( +3000 ) but not impossible if the youth flourishes.

The Wizards’ 2023-24 and 2024-25 narratives converge: minimal recent wins, a hopeful pipeline, and a front office embracing youth with a veteran bridge. The injury compounds uncertainty around opening-night lineups, tempo, and scoring balance, but it also sets up late-season momentum if Coulibaly returns healthy and the rookies hit their marks. The margin remains thin, but the path to relevance for Washington stays open with the right development arc.

Justin Champagnie’s breakout with Washington makes him a true fantasy sleeper. After a two-way start, he earned a multi-year deal and stepped into expanded minutes when Kuzma was moved, delivering efficient scoring and solid rebounding. The Statistical Doppelganger Machine matched him to Aldama, DiVincenzo and Siakam-type forwards, signaling a versatile path with scoring, defense and growth upside.

With a small sample (about 1,340 minutes), risk remains, but Washington’s rebuild creates opportunity. If he maintains development, Champagnie could become a late-round target—a multi-position wing who contributes points, boards and defensive stats, with room to grow into a higher ceiling.

Israel upset France 82-69 in Katowice behind Deni Avdija's 23 points and 8 rebounds, with Yam Madar adding 17 and Roman Sorkin contributing 12. Risacher led France with 14 while Bilal Coulibaly faced foul trouble, stalling the French attack. Poland looms next for France in the group stage.

Fantasy-angle takeaway: Avdija's heavy usage and efficient scoring boost his international fantasy upside, while Madar's scoring burst and Sorkin's versatility offer opportunistic streamer value. Risacher and Coulibaly flashed upside, but minutes will dictate their ceiling as France negotiates rotations ahead of Poland.

Israel's depth forged the late run that sealed the win, underscoring the importance of rotations and usage in international windows for fantasy managers chasing multi-category contributions. Monitor how these players are deployed against tougher defenses and in back-to-back windows to gauge true fantasy upside.

France closed its Eurobasket prep with a 92-77 win over Greece in Athens, deploying a mix of NBA-connected talent and seasoned scorers to pace the attack. Maledon led France with 16 while Guerschon Yabusele sparked the opener by drilling three straight threes. Risacher and Coulibaly provided timely spacing and playmaking as France stayed within reach late, with Alex Sarr delivering multiple tough finishes at the rim. Greece relied on Giannis to carry the scoring load, but France seized control in the third and never looked back.