The Washington Wizards might be battling a tough 6-38 record, but there’s one guy who’s standing out: Jordan Poole. Despite the struggles, Poole’s showing he’s got what it takes for the future. It’s easy to focus on the team’s overall performance, but Poole’s growth has been a bright spot in an otherwise rough season. He’s becoming a cornerstone of the franchise but on 19th Jan, he almost took out the Golden State Warriors’ cornerstone Stephen Curry.
It was when the Warriors faced the Wizards. In the closing moments of the 4th quarter, Poole made his move toward the basket for a layup, but Curry had other plans. Rising up to block the shot, Curry got the job done. As Curry walked away, something was clearly off with his ankle. Thank god he was alright later.
But there is something that Poole slid in without Curry blocking it. In a recent conversation with the Washington Post, Jordan Poole opened up about his love for cats and his habit of adopting them from local shelters. He couldn’t help but share a little secret, saying with a grin, “I may or may not have convinced Steph to get a cat.” Yeah, you read that right, Poole forced Steph and Ayesha to get a cat.
Back in 2019, Poole became the proud owner of two cats, Kai and Cota, after adopting them from the San Francisco Animal Care & Control. Since then, he’s fully embraced his title as “the lead crusader of the Secret Society of NBA Cat Dads,” and it’s a role he clearly owns.
He’s noticed that his teammates, mostly dog lovers, can’t help but be intrigued by his enthusiasm for his cats. “A lot of guys are dog people, but just the energy [and] the way I talk about them, the pictures and videos and stuff that I show them, it just gives them a little bit more interest,” Poole said. It’s honestly pretty funny how something as simple as cat pics can spark that curiosity in others. Maybe next time, we’ll see some NBA players switching teams—from dogs to cats!
Meanwhile, this cat dad is also lighting it up on court!
The man who convinced Stephen Curry for a cat has been phenomenal this season
Jordan Poole is stepping up in a major way this season, averaging 21.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. His three-point game is looking sharp, too, shooting a career-high 40.1%, up from 36% last season. He’s also taking more shots, attempting 9.3 threes per game—his highest ever.
What’s wild is that Poole creates over 40% of those threes himself, highlighting his improvement as a creator. Even in a tough loss to the Phoenix Suns on 26th Jan, Poole put up 19 points, 10 assists, and six steals, proving he’s a consistent all-around contributor.
As the Wizards continue their rebuild, Poole’s leadership has been invaluable. Playing alongside young talents like Bilal Coulibaly and Johnny Davis, Poole’s experience is guiding them toward quicker development. His on-court decisions and leadership set a solid example for the next generation of Wizards players. You can’t help but notice the impact he’s having on this team, even if the wins aren’t stacking up yet.
While the season might be a tough one for the Wizards, Poole’s performance offers hope for the future. His stats and mentorship show that the team’s rebuilding process is heading in the right direction. As the Wizards focus on long-term success, Poole’s leadership will be at the forefront of their efforts to get back to the top. For now, his growth is one bright spot in an otherwise challenging season.
