Anthony Gill turned 34 on Saturday and celebrated by keeping his place in Washington.
The Wizards have given Gill their 15th and final roster spot, according to Marc Stein, after he came into training camp on an Exhibit 9 contract. The move locks in a seventh season with the franchise for the veteran forward, who has spent much of his Washington run fighting for his spot.
Washington also made a series of cuts as it moved toward Monday’s deadline for opening-night rosters, waiving guard Trevor Keels, forward Chris Livingston and guard Alondes Williams.
Gill’s path back to the roster was not a straight one. The Wizards waived him in June 2025 before his $2.5 million salary for the 2025-26 season became guaranteed, then brought him back on a one-year deal in August. He re-signed again in September and entered camp with the final open slot in hand.
He earned the job with a steady season last year, appearing in 55 games and making eight starts. Gill averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 62.8% from the field in 17.3 minutes per game, his busiest season in Washington.
The numbers only tell part of the story. Gill is the longest-tenured player on the roster, and both the front office and coaching staff have pointed to the way he helps bring younger players along while filling just about any frontcourt role asked of him. Tre Johnson, then a rookie, said last season that Gill “helps more off the court than on the court.”
Gill’s route to this point has been anything but ordinary. He went undrafted out of Virginia in 2016, spent four seasons playing overseas in Turkey and Russia, and then signed with Washington in December 2020. He debuted in the NBA as a 28-year-old rookie and has played every game of his NBA career with the Wizards.
That kind of experience matters for a young team trying to find its footing, especially with expectations climbing in Washington.
The Wizards open the regular season at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
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