By Will Peralta
Photo By Will Peralta
When Jordan Poole was traded to the Washington Wizards, the basketball world questioned if he could thrive as the focal point of an offense. Many doubted if he could lead, if he could shoulder the burden of being “the guy.” Fast forward to the end of his second year in D.C., and those doubts have faded like a defender trying to stay in front of him on a fast break.
The Numbers Don’t Lie.
Poole’s improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 in Washington has been clear and consistent:
- Points per game: Up from 17.4 to 21.0
- Assists per game: Up from 4.4 to 4.8
- Rebounds per game: From 2.7 to 3.3
- Steals per game: From 1.1 to 1.4
- Three-point percentage: From 32.6% to 37.0%
- Field goal percentage: Improved to 41.9%, despite drawing more defensive attention
His usage rate increased, and yet his true shooting percentage remained competitive, showing he’s become more efficient under pressure. He’s not just scoring more — he’s playing smarter, distributing better, and leading with purpose.
A New Leader is Born.
Head Coach Brian Keefe recently praised Poole’s growth, saying he was “really impressed with the leadership Jordan Poole displayed and the work he put into his body and game this season.” This isn’t just about box scores — it’s about character. Coach Keefe shared how Poole would call him regularly just to ask if he could hit the gym early to get shots up. That’s dedication. That’s what a franchise cornerstone does.
And Poole himself? He gets it:
“It’s part of my character to work hard… I’m just glad I have the opportunity to [teach the younger guys] as being the leader of the franchise.”
Poole is embracing the responsibility. He’s taking younger players under his wing, showing them how to be pros — a role once modeled for him by veterans during his early days with the Warriors. Say what you want about how he left Golden State, but it’s because of that championship experience and even his tough love clash with Draymond Green that he’s built this chip on his shoulder — and D.C. is reaping the benefits.
We Can’t Let This Go for Cheap.
There’s talk that the Wizards could move him — but let’s be honest. Unless you’re getting an All-Star caliber package in return, you don’t let go of a 25-year-old scoring guard who’s still ascending, especially one who has voiced that he wants to be an All-Star next season.
He has the stats. He has the drive. He has the leadership.
And more importantly, he has the city behind him.
In a rebuild, what you need most is a player who sets the tone — someone with championship DNA, hunger to improve, and love for the game. That’s Jordan Poole.
And Washington is lucky to have him.
