Wizards Ink Trio: Sharife Cooper, Keshon Gilbert, and Jonathan Pierre Join the Ranks
Guard Sharife Cooper Joins Wizards on Two-Way Deal
The Washington Wizards have finalized a two-way contract with guard Sharife Cooper, as reported by Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Cooper's arrival marks a reunion with current Wizards senior vice president for player personnel, Travis Schlenk, who was instrumental in drafting Cooper during his tenure as president of the Atlanta Hawks.
Exhibit 10 Contracts for Keshon Gilbert and Jonathan Pierre
In addition to Cooper, the Wizards have also officially brought in Keshon Gilbert and Jonathan Pierre on Exhibit 10 contracts. This type of agreement provides a bonus opportunity for players if they are waived and subsequently spend a minimum of 60 days with the team's G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. Gilbert's signing had been previously announced, while Pierre, a 6'9\" forward, impressed during the Summer League, averaging 7.7 points in 22.2 minutes per game.
Sharife Cooper's Journey: From NBA Draft to European Leagues
Sharife Cooper, originally selected 48th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, has a diverse professional background. After playing 13 games with the Hawks in his rookie season, he spent three seasons honing his skills in the G League, where he averaged 19.3 points and 7.0 assists per contest. His experience further expanded across European leagues last year, with stints in Greece, France, and Turkey, where he recorded 14.7 points and 3.8 assists in EuroCup matchups.
Wizards' Growing Two-Way Roster
With Sharife Cooper's signing, the Washington Wizards now have three players on two-way contracts. He joins Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins, who are also part of this developmental program. This strategy allows the team to have flexible roster spots that can shuttle players between the NBA and their G League team, fostering talent growth and providing additional depth as needed.
