PROJECTED lottery pick Bilal Coulibaly hasn't been able to escape questions about Victor Wembanyama with the 2023 NBA Draft fast approaching.
But Coulibaly is not tired of talking about his ex-Metropolitans 92 teammate – and "would love to" see the reports of their potential reunion at San Antonio Spurs come true, he told The U.S. Sun.
Together with fellow basketball prospect Cam Whitmore, Coulibaly accompanied Wembanyama, 19, at various NBA events the day before Thursday's draft.
He joined the projected No. 1 pick at a ceremony celebrating the league dedicating a new STEM lab for students at the Mary McLeod Bethune middle school in New York City.
The two former Mets 92 stars also briefly linked up for a few buckets at the iconic Rucker Park before broadcast networks pulled Wembanyama aside for yet another interview.
Coulibaly, 18, then picked up the ball and started hooping by himself on the other side of the court, knowing he had some time to kill as his countryman was going through various media responsibilities again.
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At the same time, the 6-foot-7 wingman expected Wemby questions to eventually come his way as well – because they always do when the two Frenchmen participate in events together.
"Every time," Coulibaly said with a smile on his face. "Every time."
Not that he minds talking about Wembanyama, regardless of volume.
"Not really," Coulibaly said. "He's my guy, that's why."
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Wembanyama was always certain to remain Coulibaly's guy past the NBA draft, particularly after going on a deep playoff run together – which ended in a Finals loss to Monaco just last week.
It seemed far less likely they would play for the same team again anytime soon, at least until The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor suggested the Spurs could trade for another first-rounder and select both ex-Mets 92 stars on Thursday.
"There are rumblings that the Spurs are exploring trades for a second lottery pick," O'Connor wrote.
"I’m not sure how high they are trying to get, but rival executives speculate that they’re targeting one of the Thompson twins or Wembanyama’s own teammate, Bilal Coulibaly."
Coulibaly released a playful "yeah... maybe" as the reported possibility of a Wembanyama reunion was being brought up.
Then, the Saint-Cloud native said he was all for it.
"Man, I'd love to. I'd love to," Coulibaly said enthusiastically.
"As I said, that's my guy – so why not?"
As a teammate, Wembanyama is a "leader" who "talks a lot [and] likes to help," Coulibaly said.
It would be decided in just over 24 hours whether the two Frenchmen got to join forces again.
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And the moment of truth couldn't come sooner for Coulibaly with the forward visibly antsy to learn what the future held for him.
"Can't wait, can't wait," he said. "So excited, curious to see where I'm going."
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