All Tar Heels

Former UNC Basketball One-And-Done Catches Fire in Oklahoma City

The Bulls are struggling, but not for lack of firepower from their UNC basketball product.

Matt Giles

Former UNC basketball guard Coby White (Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)
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On Wednesday night, Coby White knocked down six threes before halftime. Those buckets alone from the former UNC basketball guard accounted for almost half of the reeling Chicago Bulls' points as they entered the break facing a 50-39 deficit on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The second half wasn't much better for the Bulls (5-11), as they fell to the surging Thunder (11-4), 116-102, the team's fifth loss in its past six contests.

But White added another make from deep, tallying a season-high seven 3-pointers on 12 attempts. The former five-star recruit out of Wilson, N.C., had one score inside the arc, finishing the game with a season-high 23 points, plus one rebound, five assists, and one steal in 37 minutes on the floor.

Following a 20-point effort in a home loss to the Miami Heat two nights earlier, it marked White's first back-to-back 20-plus scoring performances since he went for 24 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Valentine's Day in 2022 before tallying 31 against the Sacramento Kings two days later.

Last season, Coby White averaged a career-low 9.7 points. Except for two starting nods, he was a reserve.

This season, his fifth in the NBA, the 23-year-old former No. 7 overall pick to the Bulls has drawn a start in all 16 games, averaging 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and a career-high 1.1 steals across a career-high 31.9 minutes per game.

UNC basketball's 2018-19 All-ACC selection and the Bulls play at the Toronto Raptors (7-8) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

UNC Product Coby White Posterizes Former Duke Star

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

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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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