Chicago Bulls: 5 criminally underrated NBA Draft targets
Sports Illustrated Big Board Ranking: 16
One thing’s for sure, if freshman phenom Coby White has half as much talent as he does hair, the Chicago Bulls should leap on the opportunity to pick up their point guard replacement. Should the Bulls decide they’d be better off trading down in the draft to secure more assets, White would be an excellent selection.
In the preseason, all eyes in North Carolina were directed towards Coby’s teammates, freshman Nassir Little and senior transfer Cameron Johnson. However, it would be White who would end up making the biggest splash, now currently projected to be the highest drafted of the trio.
As his confidence rose, so did his minutes. Attention from the national spotlight soon followed. Since the start of the new year, Coby has led one of the best teams in the nation in both points and assists. Even at 6-foot, 5-inches tall, he possesses an uncanny agility and first-step quickness off the dribble. His shiftiness allows him to attack the rim and finish through contact like a true NBA veteran.
Most notably however, is White’s willingness to jack up shots from behind the arc. He takes 6.6 shots from deep per game, and makes them at a steady clip of 36 percent. While that isn’t exactly a Curry-esque performance, it does match the same clip as last year’s rookie superstar Trae Young hit his shots, which bodes very well for White’s future progression.
Most importantly however, is the spacing a solid 3-point shooter would provide for the Chicago Bulls, keeping opposing defenses honest as LaVine slashes to the inside.
White currently projects as the third-overall guard in this summer’s draft, but does not share the several holes in his game that Ja Morant and Darius Garland have been noted for. As such, he possesses much lower bust potential and possibly an even higher ceiling. Even if he never becomes a perennial all-star, his high energy and passion for the game should ensure that he will be a productive player in the NBA for years to come.