Table of Contents
Washington Wizards
Origins as the Chicago Packers
The team was founded in 1961 as the Chicago Packers, making them the first modern expansion team in the NBA.1)
Multiple Name Changes
They’ve had five names: Chicago Packers, Chicago Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets, Capital Bullets, and Washington Bullets, before becoming the Washington Wizards in 1997.2)
Move to Baltimore
In 1963, the franchise moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Bullets.3)
Capital Bullets Era
In 1973, the team was briefly renamed the Capital Bullets after moving to the Washington, D.C. metro area.4)
Championship Glory
The team won its only NBA championship in 1978, led by Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes.5)
Michael Jordan Comeback
Michael Jordan came out of retirement to play for the Wizards from 2001 to 2003.6)
Jordan the Executive
Before returning as a player, Jordan served as President of Basketball Operations for the Wizards.7)
Controversial Name Change
The team changed its name from “Bullets” to “Wizards” in 1997 to distance itself from violent connotations.8)
Home Arena
The Wizards play at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C.9)
Wes Unseld’s Legacy
Wes Unseld is the only Wizard to win MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season (1969).10)
Elvin Hayes, the Scorer
Elvin Hayes remains one of the top scorers in franchise history and a key part of the '70s success.11)
Historic NBA Finals Appearances
The Wizards (as the Bullets) appeared in four NBA Finals: 1971, 1975, 1978, and 1979.12)
Wizards’ All-Star Legacy
The franchise has had dozens of All-Star appearances, including by Gilbert Arenas, John Wall, and Bradley Beal.13)
Gilbert Arenas’ Explosive Rise
Gilbert Arenas was a fan favorite in the 2000s, known for his clutch shooting and eccentric personality.14)
Agent Zero
Arenas earned the nickname “Agent Zero” due to his jersey number and cold-blooded performances.15)
John Wall’s Speed
John Wall was known as one of the fastest players with the ball in NBA history.16)
Bradley Beal’s Scoring Feats
Bradley Beal has multiple seasons averaging over 30 points per game.17)
Longest Tenured Name: Bullets
The team was known as the Bullets for 30 years (1963–1997), the longest of any name they've had.18)
Mascot: G-Wiz
The Wizards’ mascot is a blue fuzzy creature named G-Wiz, introduced in the mid-90s.19)
G-League Team: Capital City Go-Go
Their NBA G-League affiliate is the Capital City Go-Go, named after D.C.’s famous Go-Go music genre.20)
Ernie Grunfeld Era
Former GM Ernie Grunfeld had one of the longest tenures (2003–2019), but faced heavy criticism for his decisions.21)
2010s Playoff Resurgence
The team reached the playoffs four times between 2014–2018, behind Wall and Beal.22)
Historic Comebacks
The Wizards have pulled off several double-digit comebacks, including overcoming 21-point deficits.23)
First African-American Head Coach
K.C. Jones became one of the first African-American head coaches in the NBA with the Bullets in the '70s.24)
Tom Gugliotta & Chris Webber Trade
The 1994 trade of Gugliotta for Chris Webber was a big move that didn’t pan out long-term.25)
Draft Lottery Woes
The Wizards have frequently had bad luck in the draft lottery, often picking just outside the top few slots.26)
2001 NBA Draft Blunder
They selected Kwame Brown #1 overall in 2001, considered one of the biggest draft busts ever.27)
Gilbert Arenas Incident
Arenas brought a gun into the locker room during a dispute with a teammate in 2009, leading to a suspension.28)
Russell Westbrook Triple-Double Machine
In 2021, Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double and broke the all-time record while playing for the Wizards.29)
Classic Rivalry with Celtics
The Bullets and Celtics had multiple fierce playoff battles during the 1970s.30)
The Unseld Family Legacy
Wes Unseld Jr., son of franchise legend Wes Unseld, was hired as head coach in 2021.31)
Global Reach
The Wizards were part of NBA Global Games, playing preseason games in places like Japan and China.32)
Jersey Number Retirements
The franchise has five retired numbers, including those for Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, and Earl Monroe.33)
Women in the Front Office
The Wizards have female executives, including Sashi Brown, now president of Monumental Basketball.34)
Owner Ted Leonsis
Tech entrepreneur Ted Leonsis owns the Wizards and Capitals, focusing on innovation and fan experience.35)
Monumental Sports Network
They launched their own regional sports network in 2023, making them one of the few NBA teams to do so.36)
Historic 60-Point Games
Bradley Beal dropped 60 points in a game in 2021, one of the highest in franchise history.37)
High Draft Picks
The Wizards have had the #1 pick four times, selecting players like Walt Bellamy and John Wall.38)
Buzzer Beater Madness
The team has been part of numerous buzzer-beater finishes, often featured in highlight reels.39)
Youth Movement in 2020s
Following trades of Wall, Beal, and Westbrook, the team began a youth rebuild centered on draft picks.40)
Jordan Poole & Kyle Kuzma Era
As of the mid-2020s, the team features Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma as leading scorers.41)
Commitment to Diversity
The organization has championed social justice causes, community outreach, and inclusion efforts.42)
Community Initiatives
Through Wizards Care, the team supports education, hunger relief, and youth development in D.C.43)
Legacy of Resilience
Despite ups and downs, the Wizards remain a resilient franchise with passionate fans and rich history.44)
First Team to Wear Sleeved Jerseys in a Game
In 2014, the Washington Wizards became the first NBA team to wear sleeved jerseys during a regular-season game, experimenting with a new uniform style promoted by the league. While the look was polarizing, it marked a unique moment in uniform history.45)