When the Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ G League affiliate, begins its inaugural basketball season Nov. 3 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in southeast D.C., head coach Jarell Christian said the team will play with pace, effectively communicate and have big guys guarding the perimeter.
Besides producing a winning organization that prepares players for the NBA, the Go-Go also want to support and uplift the community.
“Being here in Ward 8 means the world to us,” Christian said to reporters during the team’s media day session Tuesday. “What we’re able to bring to the community and also what they are able to bring to us. It’s a sense of family and we want to make sure that everybody in this area feels like this is home.”
The team holds training camp this week at the new $65 million complex that serves as its home court, as well as the new home of the Washington Mystics.
As for the Go-Go, two-way players Devin Robinson and Jordan McRae are two of the main players signed on the squad. McRae’s currently with the Wizards on a five-game West Coast road trip.
Four of its players participated in the Wizards training camp, including Lavoy Allen, Chris Chiozza, Tiwian Kendley and Chasson Randle.
The opportunity is particularly special for guard/forward Devin Sweetney, who turned 31 Tuesday. Although he’s played in 13 countries, he’s never played in the G League and will be his first chance to play professionally in his native Washington.
Sweetney played high school basketball at Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and collegiately at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He’s also a cousin of Michael Sweetney, a former Oxon Hill High School standout who played at Georgetown University and was a 2003 draft pick of the New York Knicks.
“[That I’m excited] is an understatement,” he said. “I grew up in Southeast, right up the street. To have this come full circle is a blessing. To be here [to play] in front of family and friends and supporters who have just been here for me … is just a blessing. I’m humbled to be a part of this.”
To see the team schedule, go to https://capitalcity.gleague.nba.com/schedule.