Despite a losing season, Wizards’ fanbase continues to support hometown hoopers

By Timothy Cox
For Washington/Baltimore Patch Online.com

WASHINGTON, DC -- With a capacity seating of 20,000 – the Washington Wizards attracted more than 15,000 fans at the Capital One Center, April 9, 2026, to witness two of the worst teams in the NBA.

Even though the hometown Wizards lost to the also-struggling Chicago Bulls, 118-109, you could not sense disappointment amongst the DC faithful on a Thursday night inside the Capital One Center in downtown DC.

The Bulls defeated the Wizards, 119-108 and were led by Tre Isaiah Jones, the former Duke University star, who finished with a team-high 31 points along with six rebounds and three assists for the Bulls; rookie Colin Sexton, a former U. of Alabama star, added 27 points, three rebounds and three steals for the winning team.

Will Rilley also had 23 points, three rebounds and three steals for the Bulls.

The Wizards were led in scoring by a Baltimore native named Carlton Kaleel "Lil Bub" Carrington III. He had 14 points. At age 20, the second-year NBA player was first drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2024. After an illustriouus year at St. Francis Academy (high school) in Baltimore, “Lil Bub” signed to play collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh. After just one year of college ball, he was drafted into the NBA. The younger Bub received sad news last year, upon learning that his father, Carlton Carrington II aka “Big Bub” reportedly died of cancer.

He was apparently a very popular and effective AAU coach in the Baltimore area, according to several published reports.

With the win over the Wizards, the Bulls improved their record to 31-49 The Wizards finished their regular season, Sunday, April 12 with a 130-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their final record was 17 and 65.

Despite such a dismal season, Wizards fans still flock to the downtown arena to watch their home team typically fail miserably.

During the Wizards’ latest home loss, visiting fan Dana Dolvin of Odenton, Maryland, said he used the game as a way to bond with his third-grade granddaughter, Stella Deshazo. The eight-year-old said she enjoys watching basketball and attending games with her grandfather.

"We realize the team is having a tough year,” said Mr. Dolvin. “Stella loves all sports including basketball, so this is a great opportunity for me and her to share something in common," said Dolvin, a 70-year-old retired employee with the Under Armour corporation in Baltimore,

Rommell Miranda, 40, and his wife Janna Miranda, 38, made the drive from Leesburg in northern Virginia to take in the game. The couple were accompanied by their son Jerrell, 10 and daughter, Lea, 6.

Rommell, said he was happy to bring his young family to see the Wizards, regardless of their losing ways.

"For us, it's like a family outing. We enjoy our drive up here and once we're inside the arena, it's all about the food, watching the people and just overall having a good time as a family," said Rommel, noting that he is a proud of his Filipino heritage.

A group of mothers from Southeast DC, brought along their sons to see the game. Jen Harris, 28, said she was given several discounted tickets from her job, in order see the game so she invited her friends and their kids.

Jen brought along son, John Harris, 12. Rita Turner, 38, came with son, Jaylen Turner, 12. Amillyah Janae “AJ” Barnes, 20, was accompanied by her two little brothers Jaylen Barnes, 12 and Devyn Barnes, 9.

Nickei Bent, 40, came with her 16-year-old basketball star, Nathaniel Lightfoot, a junior point guard at DC International High School, one of the premier private charter schools in Washington, DC.

Nathan said he enjoys watching the pros play ball, but he too has hoop dreams he’s currently pursuing. Those dreams include playing collegiately once his high school career has concluded.

Wizards’ history wasn’t always clouded with losses

Capital Centre was once the primary home of the Washington Bullets of the NBA, the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and Georgetown University men’s basketball.

All three teams departed for the MCI Center (now Capital One Arena), just north of the National Mall in D.C., when it opened in December 1997. Basketball Capital Centre hosted its first NBA game on December 2, 1973, as the Capital Bullets defeated the Seattle SuperSonics, 98–96 in front of a sellout crowd.

During October and November 1973, the Bullets, who originated as the Baltimore Bullets with Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe, Unseld and Elvin Hayes, held their home games at nearby Cole Field House on the campus of the University of Maryland in College
Park.

The team has made four trips to the NBA Finals in franchise history (1971, 1975, 1978, 1979), with 1978 being their sole championship victory.

The Washington franchise, then known as the Washington Bullets, won their only NBA championship in the 1977–78 season. They defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in a seven-game series (4–3), clinching the title with a 105-99 road win in Game 7 on June 7, 1978. Wes Unseld was named the Finals MVP. Other key players were Elvin Hayes, Bobby Dandridge and Phil Chenier.

Wizards future looking up with addition of Anthony Davis and Tre Young

Last January, in the midst of another disappointing season, the Wizards’ brain trust traded for Atlanta Hawks superstar point guard, Tre Young. A month later, the team made deals to bring former U. of Kentucky national champion and former Lakers’ NBA champ, Anthony Davis aka A.D. to the fold. Baltimore native and former U. of Maryland star, Julian "JuJu" Reese is also a welcomed addition to next year's Wizards' roster.

DCI high school hooper, Nathan Lightfoot, said he’s convinced his home-team will show improvement with the additions of JuJu, Tre Young and A.D.

(ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Cox is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and has written for several national publications including Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Canton, Ohio, Scripps-Howard/Knoxville News Sentinel, Marietta Daily Journal (Atlanta) and Gannett @ USAToday. He can be reached at teacawks2@gmail.com)