After recovering from offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, Chicago Bulls‘ third-year point guard Coby White has been working hard to get back on the court. The Bulls guard began taking contact in scrimmages a few days ago and is now as close to returning as ever.
The Bulls announced on Tuesday that guard White has been assigned to the G-League with the Windy City Bulls.
It was thought that he would get a few games to get back into rhythm before returning to the Bulls but he was recalled after Tuesday’s practice. White will provide much-needed scoring off the bench.
Drafted with the seventh overall pick by the Bulls in 2019, White averaged 15.1 points in the 2020-21 season with 4.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds.
Chicago Bulls ready to get Coby White back soon from shoulder injury
Roster Update: We have assigned Coby White to the @WindyCityBulls. pic.twitter.com/6lTnoY49ms
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 9, 2021
With the acquisition of Lonzo Ball in the offseason it was apparent that White would be spending time coming off of the bench upon his return. It will be a challenge for Billy Donovan to find minutes for all of his guards with a stacked backcourt.
Alex Caruso is currently one of the first Bulls off the bench and although his stats will never look great, his defense and intangibles provide a spark that can’t be replaced.
The surprise factor in all of this is the impressive play of rookie guard Ayo Dosunmu. The 38th overall pick in this years draft wasn’t expected to contribute this early in his career but he has scored some important baskets in the biggest wins of the season against Boston and Brooklyn. in those games he scored 15 points in 20 minutes against the Nets and 14 in 22 versus the Celtics.
There have been times, most notably in the two-game set against the 76ers, where the 21-year-old has been invisible when the Bulls needed scoring most. Dosunmu should still get minutes upon White’s return but those empty appearances won’t cut it down the stretch when minutes get tight.
Consistent scoring off the bench, which White will provide, can only help the Bulls continue their hot start to the season and hopefully carry them into the conversation and playoff contenders.