Yahoo Sports NBA Draft expert Krysten Peek is joined by broadcaster Kevin Danna on the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast to discuss Bilal Coulibaly, a teammate of Victor Wembanyama on Metropolitans 92, and his potential as a first-round draft pick in June.

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Video Transcript

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KRYSTEN PEEK: You asked me during a broadcast one time, you said, you know, Bilal Coulibaly, do you see him as a draft riser in this year's draft class at 6'6" with a 7'1" wingspan? And I remember at the time, I said, I don't know if he's ready yet. I mean, this might just be his-- OK, we got a good eye on him, we're seeing how he is playing alongside Victor.

But now we're seeing his name pop-up there in the first round. And this is on me. I mean, I should know that youth and upside trumps everything in the draft. So for me to overlook that-- but I think you mentioned it-- it's like, what is he averaging? Like, under 5 points a game?

KEVIN DANNA: Yeah.

KRYSTEN PEEK: We could be hearing his name in the first round. Like that, to me, is crazy. And it goes to say, again, the impact that Victor has-- not only on the game itself, but his teammates-- that he's helping elevate their game as well.

KEVIN DANNA: Yeah. 100%, KP. I mean, we're talking about a guy who's averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds per game as a first round draft pick. That is the Victor Wanyama effect. Like, I think, like, Coulibaly is like one year away from being one year away. So two years away from, like, being someone who could contribute rotation minutes in the NBA.

But he's really blossomed this year. His team's gotten a lot of injuries this year. Guys have had season-ending injuries, and he's really stepped up. And he's been a starter, like, the last 10 games of the season or so. And so yeah, he's really kind of made the most of his opportunity. He's not seen the ball a ton either. He doesn't play with the ball a lot in his hands. A lot of it's coming off cutting, getting to the hoop, offensive rebounds, that kind of thing, and just being a pest on a defense with a wingspan longer than 7'.

So NBA scouts love long and lanky guys who are in their teens, right? Youth and length.

KRYSTEN PEEK: Yes.

KEVIN DANNA: Those are the two qualities that you can never have enough of, and he's got those aplenty.