Varun Shankar

Washington, D.C.

Education: University of Maryland

Varun Shankar is The Post's Washington Wizards beat reporter. He was previously an intern, news aide and high school sports reporter for the Sports desk. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Shankar worked for the independent school newspaper, The Diamondback, as a sports reporter and editor. He previously interned at The Boston Globe and The Charlotte Observer.
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Latest from Varun Shankar

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are recovering from a dreadful start

Milwaukee is back above .500 with a 9-3 stretch after winning just one of its first seven games.

December 2, 2024

Bilal Coulibaly is learning what two-way play takes in the NBA

The second-year standout had just four points in a 124-114 loss at Milwaukee, the Wizards’ 14th in a row.

December 1, 2024
The Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly defends the Bucks' Damian Lillard on Saturday night in Milwaukee.

Wizards just can’t stop James Harden in their 13th straight loss

Harden had 23 points in the first quarter, 31 at halftime and 43 when his night ended as the Clippers cruised, 121-96.

November 27, 2024
Clippers guard James Harden attacks the basket against the defense of Bilal Coulibaly in the first half Wednesday night at Capital One Arena.

In a season of silver linings, Alex Sarr adds another in loss to Bulls

The No. 2 overall pick in the draft makes a career-high four three-pointers but a poor second quarter paves the way for a 12th straight loss.

November 26, 2024
Alex Sarr lines up a three-pointer during Tuesday's loss to the Bulls.

Malcolm Brogdon, the Wizards’ ‘chill pill,’ brings a calming influence

Brogdon scored 15 points against the Pacers in the Wizards’ 115-103 loss, their 11th in a row.

November 24, 2024
Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon backs down Pacers guard Quenton Jackson in the first quarter Sunday. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

After getting ripped by coach, Wizards respond by hanging with the champs

Coach Brian Keefe tore into his team earlier in the week. The criticism resonated, despite a 10th straight loss.

November 22, 2024
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown drives around Kyle Kuzma during Friday night's game.

Five things: The Wizards’ defense has been abysmal, plus more from a tough road trip

Sights, stats and sounds from the last two weeks, including Jordan Poole’s “double drags,” Alex Sarr’s screen assists and passing creativity from the rookies.

November 20, 2024

Amid nine-game skid, Wizards coach questions team’s competitiveness

Brian Keefe takes the blame after back-to-back blowout losses to the Pistons and Knicks.

November 19, 2024
Wizards Coach Brian Keefe said his team did not show the competitive disposition that it should be playing with in the past two games. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

As the Wizards are schooled, Alex Sarr gets another teachable moment

The Wizards’ rookie continues to get matched up with some of the top centers in the league. Each offers a tantalizing glimpse of what Sarr could be.

November 18, 2024
The Wizards' Alex Sarr looks for his shot against the Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns. The rookie had eight points in 24 minutes; Towns finished with 24 points in 25 minutes.

Still seeking answers on defense, Wizards see their skid reach eight

The Pistons made 17 three-pointers as they prevailed, 124-104, at Capital One Arena.

November 17, 2024
The Wizards' Kyle Kuzma tangles with the Pistons' Simone Fontecchio on Sunday night.