The Washington Wizards enter the 2025 season with one of the youngest rosters in the league.
But that doesn’t mean they are lacking in the experience department.
The 2024 rookie class of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George played significant minutes a season ago and were forced to learn quickly what it means to be an NBA pro.
“I was fortunate enough to literally have a lot of opportunities. I played in all 82 games,” Carrington said. “Sometimes I would be kind of passive or scared; but I’m here now, I’ve done it before, so I have no excuse. I see an opportunity, I have to take it.”
Now in his sophomore season, Carrington is setting big goals for himself before the regular season tips off.
“He’s making a name for himself,” Carrington told 7News Sports Anchor Natalie Spala. “You’re going to know Bub Carrington for ‘this’ this year. He did ‘this’ or he brought it every night, like he stepped up to guard the other team’s best guard; or every time he had a big shot, he made it. You’re going to know me for something this year.”
The Baltimore native admits taking time during the offseason to reflect on his rookie year and the skills and knowledge he gained.
“Learning to ask a lot more questions, like there’s no reason that I should go through any situation in the league without knowing how to do it, because I have teammates that have literally been here for 13 years. Basically, always trying to have a cheat-sheet,” Carrington said.
Part of that proverbial cheat-sheet involves the bond he’s been able to form with Sarr and George.
“I feel like Will [Dawkins] did a great job in just getting three of the same guys, just different heights,” Carrington joked. “It’s great having this group of guys. I can’t say it’s one thing that we did for us to get this way. It’s literally the guys that we are makes everything so much easier.”
After bidding farewell to his own rookie tag, Carrington said he doesn’t miss a moment to remind the new class of rookies where they stand.
“Right now, it’s make sure this gym is spotless, locker room better be spotless, they take stuff to my car. Just letting them know this what it is,” he joked.
Jokes and playful hazing aside, Carrington also takes time to ensure he’s passing along the same knowledge he gained during his first year in Washington.
“I’m just trying to give them little snip-bits to make being a Wizard easier,” he said.
Carrington and the Wizards start the year on the road in Milwaukee to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on October 22.
