UNC Basketball One-And-Done Posts Game-High in Preseason Win

Former UNC basketball guard Coby White picked up right where he left off in his breakout campaign last season.
Former UNC basketball guard Coby White
Former UNC basketball guard Coby White / David Richard-Imagn Images

In their preseason opener on Tuesday night, the Chicago Bulls picked up a 116-112 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, thanks in part to UNC basketball product Coby White's efficient production.

ALSO READ: Polished 7-Footer Cuts Tar Heel Recruiters From List

White delivered a game-high 21 points against the Cavaliers, shooting 7-for-15 from the field, 3-for-7 beyond the arc, and 4-for-6 at the charity stripe. Plus, the 24-year-old guard out of Goldsboro, N.C., who heard his name No. 7 overall at the 2019 NBA Draft following his sensational one-and-done stay in Chapel Hill, tallied three rebounds, three assists, and zero turnovers across his 25 minutes as a starter.

Last season, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound White came in second in NBA Most Improved Player voting after seeing action in 79 games for a Bulls squad that finished 39-43 overall. He averaged a career-high 19.1 points, a massive improvement from his 9.7 mark in 2022-23. Plus, he chipped in 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per outing while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from deep, and 83.8 percent at the foul line.

Coby White and the Chicago Bulls will now gear up to host the Memphis Grizzlies, who currently employ recent five-year UNC basketball big man Armando Bacot for preseason play, at 8 p.m. ET Saturday (NBA League Pass).

The Bulls tip off their regular season on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 23.

ALSO READ: Stock-Riser Rejects Chatter About Tar Heel Recruitment

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more updates on Tar Heels in the NBA and other UNC basketball news.


Published
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.