The Washington Wizards have made noteworthy moves in recent months, particularly their selection of Tre Johnson in the 2025 NBA Draft. Prior to this decision, there was significant interest from the Wizards in acquiring Ace Bailey from Rutgers, particularly after Bailey expressed a desire to join the team. Though the Wizards were ultimately unsuccessful in that pursuit, their efforts led them to unearth a promising talent in guard Sharife Cooper.
Last offseason, one of the more understated developments within the Wizards organization was the signing of Sharife Cooper, who previously played for the Atlanta Hawks. The 6-foot guard had a standout freshman year at Auburn, averaging 20.2 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds before struggling during his time in Atlanta. Limited playing time affected his shooting performance, resulting in his release from the Hawks. However, the backstory that some fans might not be aware of is Cooper’s connection to Ace Bailey; Cooper’s father, Omar Cooper, served as Bailey’s manager during the pre-draft process. It was speculated that signing Cooper to a two-way deal was a strategic move to entice Bailey to Washington.
While the Wizards aimed to leverage Cooper’s connection to Bailey, they inadvertently made an excellent acquisition. Cooper’s recent performances, especially in the G-League with the Wizards’ Capital City Go-Go, speak to his potential. In eight games, he averaged an impressive 18.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, shooting 47.8% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range.
His impact has not been confined to the G-League. Over the last few weeks, Cooper has increasingly showcased his skills on the Wizards’ active roster, participating in 20 games where he averaged 7.8 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 rebounds, with shooting percentages of 51.3% and 38.9% from beyond the arc. His contributions have notably increased in recent games, where he has averaged 18.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds, demonstrating his capability to play a significant role even as the team deals with injuries.
While the Wizards’ lineup will eventually see changes when players return from injury, Sharife Cooper’s emergence presents a silver lining. His ability to step up during a challenging period suggests that the franchise may have found a valuable asset in its backcourt, potentially shaping the team’s future positively.