The CrossOver - Episode 2: Jules Bernard

Founded in 2001, the G League serves as the official developmental league of the NBA. G League teams offer an opportunity for both NBA players and prospects to develop their skill sets for the rigors of the NBA. Parent teams, like the Washington Wizards, can sign two-way players with contracts that allow them to play for both the NBA team and its G League affiliate. On December 3, 2023, Jules Bernard became one of these players, signing a two-way contract with the Wizards.  

"I watched Jules’s games at UCLA and what stood out the most was [his] versatility, ability to play make, ability to score, ability to shoot. And also, you know, I really thought he was a versatile defender,” says Amber Nichols, General Manager of the Capital City Go-Go.  

At the time of his signing, Bernard had played 40 games with the Go-Go over the past two seasons after being acquired via trade from the Motor City Cruise on December 23, 2022. Bernard finished the 2022-23 season averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 2.4 APG in 32 appearances. In the eight games Bernard played this season before signing as a two-way player on December 3, 2023, he averaged 21.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 4.3 APG. 

"I remember going to my brother’s YMCA games and watching him play, and that was the first time I really was like ‘I want to play basketball – I want to be like my older brother,’” Bernard recalls on his dreams of playing in the NBA.  

Will Dawkins, General Manager of the Washington Wizards, says he’s seen Bernard continue to improve and develop on both sides of the ball since landing in Washington. “He’s really just a grinder,” says Dawkins. “He’s someone that gets it, that puts in the time and work. You want to reward players like that.” 

Bernard says his goal now is to become solidified in the NBA and inspire others, in particularly kids from where his family is from – Trinidad and Tobago. “Basketball is sort of a budding sport in Trinidad,” tells Bernard. “I look to try to grow the sport over there and inspire a lot of young kids.” 

Enjoy the second episode of The CrossOver and follow get to know the newest Washington Wizards two-way player, Jules Bernard.