Can NBA summer league predict surprise stars and busts?

The Washington Wizards drafted three players in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. The trio of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George will join 2023 first-rounder Bilal Coulibaly to make up Washington’s young core.

That group has Wizards coach Brian Keefe excited to work with them. Keefe said there is a clear first goal for his young players.

“Establishing habits, No. 1,” Keefe said. “I said the same last year with Bilal, you teach them the professional habits and how to work in this league. It’s the only way you get better is to have consistent work habits and approach to everything you’re doing. That will be our No. 1 focus for those guys.”

On Sarr, who was the second overall pick, Keefe said the Wizards want to see him with the ball a lot.

“He’s got the ability to be a three-level scorer at some point. But one thing that has stood out to us is his ability to see the game and read the game. He’s a good passer, so we want the ball in his hands to explore those opportunities for him to make plays for himself and others,” Keefe said of the 7-footer.

As for Carrington, the Wizards see him as able to play a lot of different roles.

“We’re going to play a little bit positionless to where a lot of people will handle and make decisions. We look at him as a guard who can make plays for himself and for others. You can see that he’s a multi-talented guy who’s a good rebounder that can push it in transition. We’ll see him handle playing on and off the ball,” Keefe said about Carrington.