All Tar Heels

Former UNC Basketball Guard Torches Hornets in Overtime Win

UNC basketball's Coby White enjoyed a prolific night in his latest trip back to his home state.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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UNC basketball product and Goldsboro, N.C., native Coby White returned to the "Tar Heel State" on Monday night, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 119-112 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Sure, Chicago (17-21) further deflated Charlotte (8-26). Except for that, though, it's safe to say the 23-year-old guard, in his fifth year with the Bulls since getting drafted No. 7 overall in 2019 following an electrifying one-and-done campaign in Chapel Hill, didn't disappoint all the UNC and Coby White fans on hand in the Spectrum Center.

White, a full-time starter this season for the first time in his career, finished with a team-high 27 points on 10-for-19 shooting from the field, including a 3-for-7 clip beyond the arc, plus 4-for-5 at the charity stripe. He added six rebounds, five assists, and only one turnover across his 42 minutes on the floor.

In overtime, he accounted for four of the Bulls' 12 points, including a pair of free throws with 16 ticks remaining to give Chicago a three-possession lead.

"It's always fun to come back home and see everybody who supported me throughout my career," White, who hasn't sat out a single game this season and is averaging a career-high 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per outing, noted to the media afterward.

Charlotte's UNC basketball talent, recent five-year Tar Heel forward Leaky Black, did not come off the bench against the Bulls. The 25-year-old from nearby Concord, N.C., undrafted this past summer and still on a two-way contract, has appeared in only seven contests as a Hornets rookie.

The Bulls now return to Chicago and gear up to host the Houston Rockets (18-17) at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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