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Wizards select Yannick Nzosa with 54th overall pick

By Andrew Gillis

Wizards select Yannick Nzosa in second round originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington   The Wizards concluded their 2022 draft with the selection of Yannick Nzosa with the 54th overall pick. A 6-foot-10 international center from DR Congo, he’s played the last two seasons in Spain with Unicaja. In 29 games for Unicaja in the 2021-22 season, he played 11.1 minutes per game and scored 2.2 points with two rebounds per game in Liga ACB, the top professional division in Spain. Nzosa is just 18 years old and will not turn 19 until mid-November. Meaning, the Wizards opted for Nzosa’s high-upside, which notably comes on the defensive end of the floor, over other more experienced players they could have selected late in the draft.

Still a raw prospect, Nzosa didn’t begin playing basketball until the age of 12. And with his youth, mobility and upside, he could be considered a draft-and-stash candidate for the Wizards. In the first round earlier in the night, the Wizards selected former Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis with the 10th overall selection.

Wizards lose Delon Wright indefinitely to hamstring strain

By Chase Hughes
Wizards lose Wright indefinitely to hamstring strain originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonWASHINGTON -- Delon Wright was in obvious pain as he held his right hamstring and hobbled off the court Tuesday night in the Wizards' win over the Pistons. It turns out the injury was indeed serious, as he has been ruled out indefinitely with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.Wright will be re-evaluated in three weeks, according to the Wizards. However long he's out, his presence will be missed.The Wizards have seen great early returns from Wright, whom they signed to a 2-year deal in free agency. He has been one of their best defensive players, beginning games as their backup point guard but often finishing them in closing lineups."It’s unfortunate for us. He is playing at an extremely high level and doing a lot of good things for us, particularly on the defensive end," head coach Wes Unseld Jr. said.Wright, 30, has great size for his position at 6-foot-5 and is one of the best in the league at forcing turnovers on the perimeter. Compounding matters, the Wizards do not have a third traditional point guard on their NBA roster.They still have Monte Morris as their starting point guard, but Wright's absence will force some creativity from Unseld Jr. He could use shooting guard Bradley Beal more in that spot, or turn to a more unconventional route like Will Barton or Deni Avdija, who play on the wing. Barton reminded reporters after Tuesday night's game he grew up playing point guard and served in that role in a pinch while with the Denver Nuggets, his last NBA stop.The Wizards also have Jordan Goodwin on a 2-way contract. He is listed as a point guard, but has only eight minutes of NBA experience. And rookie Johnny Davis played some point guard minutes during the preseason.Wright will now begin a fairly long road to recovery. The Wizards, though, did share some positive injury news on Tuesday, as 2nd-year wing Corey Kispert is "really close" to returning from a sprained left ankle, per Unseld Jr. He practiced with the Wizards on Tuesday and won't play Friday against the Pacers, but could be ready in a matter of days.
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