Chicago Bulls fans have been thrilled watching Ayo Dosunmu put on a show this season, and for good reason. He's been putting up the kind of performances and numbers that make him a serious contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award, and that would have seemed like an impossibility before the season.
Dosunmu is currently averaging 15.6 points per game, shooting 56.3% from the floor and 46.8% from three, as well as 88% from the free throw line. For a player that's only earning $7.5 million this season, those are the types of numbers typically reserved for much more highly-paid starters.
Bulls fans have loved watching Ayo be a consistent performer through the first month of the season. He's been reliably contributing every single night, and that's a more valuable attribute than simply being able to show occasional flashes of brilliance. Dosunmu has scored in double figures in 10 of his 12 games this season.
Ayo Dosunmu is having a fantastic season
The role that Ayo plays allows for spacing and opens up room for others on the floor to thrive. When Dosunmu is knocking down open shots, Chicago's offense tends to boom. He's currently registering with the third-highest three-point percentage on the team, while attempting almost four shots from beyond the arc per night.
It's the kind of story like Dosunmu's that serves to inspire the fanbase and garner a ton of respect. Plenty of fans already loved him when he came to the city in 2021 due to him being a hometown hero, as well as a University of Illinois alumni. But the way he has carved out his career as a second-round pick is even more admirable.
Having a guy who can put up legitimate starter-level numbers and efficiency on a modest contract is increasingly rare. Not only is he a spark plug on the court that United Center loves, but his value is also helping the Bulls' front office to allocate resources elsewhere while retaining on-court production.
Dosunmu’s continued production has not only strengthened Chicago’s rotation, but also validated the trust the organization placed in his development. He's producing in a way that elevates the group around him, and the Bulls are benefitting from a player who understands how to impact winning without forcing the issue. If he continues playing at this level, he's going to remain one of the most important pieces on this roster, and one of the brightest spots of this season.