High Score reshapes weekly fantasy basketball by rewarding big weekly ceilings in assists and steals with minimal turnovers. Five sleepers outside the top 100 ADP stand out: Kevin Porter Jr., Reed Sheppard, Jaden Ivey, Stephon Castle and Isaiah Collier, each equipped for spike weeks with 30+ minutes and heavy usage.

Additional upside comes from Kyshawn George, Dennis Schröder, Ayo Dosunmu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Davion Mitchell, who bring late-round dart throws in punt-turnover builds. Together they map a flexible strategy for weekly winners in 2025-26.

Year-two players anchor the 2025-26 fantasy landscape, led by Donovan Clingan's late-season move into Portland's starting lineup and strong rebounding/blocks. Edey, Sarr and Ware project sustained frontcourt value with varying health and role risk, while Missi and Castle offer versatile multi-category floors.

A deeper cohort—Buzelis, George, Sheppard, Bona, Filipowski, Wells, McCain, Carrington, Dunn, Risacher, Collier, da Silva, Holland and Mitchell—could swing fantasy leagues with minutes and fit should roster changes unlock roles.

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.

Canada Basketball’s AmeriCup camp at the Raptors OVO Training Centre marks a deliberate, long‑term rebuild toward the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Kyshawn George, Montreal‑raised and a Washington rookie, is chasing a broader role with Canada by showing commitment and readiness rather than demanding a spot. The camp blends rising NBA players with seasoned Canada veterans, signaling depth is as important as top talent for the long qualification path.

Leonard Miller, Nate Darling, and Mfiondu Kabengele are among the youngest NBA names in camp, joined by veterans such as Trae Bell‑Haynes, Kyle Wiltjer, and Thomas Kennedy. Rowan Barrett and the staff are balancing immediate help for November windows with building a pipeline that can grow through 2026 and beyond, even as leadership reshapes the coaching staff with Jama Mahlalela, Scott Morrison, and Nathaniel Mitchell taking a larger role while Gordie Herbert guides through a later return.

The overarching plan hinges on sustained development, coaching growth, and the ability to leverage a deep pool to sustain Canadian contention in 2027 and 2028, ensuring the nation stays competitive across multiple global events.

Marcus Smart's presence has already transformed the Washington Wizards, as he takes on a crucial leadership role within a young team. His extensive experience and defensive prowess are proving invaluable during the Wizards' rebuilding phase. The former Defensive Player of the Year has swiftly connected with his teammates, notably rookie Kyshawn George, to impart essential basketball knowledge.

In his initial game with the Wizards, Smart took the time to share defensive strategies with George, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring. Although Smart's personal statistics have dipped since his prime, his ability to guide and uplift the team's culture is evident. For a franchise aiming to shift from rebuilding to competitive status, Smart's influence is a game-changer.