Ayo Dosunmu is proving himself worthy of a spot in the rotation despite the logjam at guard

Dosunmu is bucking the odds once again.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Ayo Dosunmu knows his work is cut out for him if he is to earn a spot in the Chicago Bulls’ rotation this season. With Coby White seemingly locking up the starting position, reserve minutes will be up for grabs between him and Jevon Carter. However, as his play during the preseason has shown, Dosunmu isn’t afraid to prove he’s worthy of minutes on the floor.

More aggressive play

Dosunmu has gotten some minutes in the preseason, but none more than against the Denver Nuggets last weekend. While White and forward Patrick Williams grabbed the spotlight, scoring 20 points each, he quietly compiled a noteworthy stat line.

“While Coby White and Patrick Williams stood under the spotlight in the team’s third preseason game against Denver, it was Dosunmu who was up in the control booth. The guard finished with 12 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and only one turnover in 31 minutes of action. It was arguably the most well-rounded performance of the night,” Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation noted.

The coaching staff has emphasized more action in the shaded lane, specifically on the offensive glass. The former Illinois star has responded by grabbing six offensive rebounds in the last three games, which is tied for third-most on the squad. It’s this type of activity that will endear him to coach Billy Donovan and the staff.

“If you’ve been watching, then you’ve surely noticed that Dosunmu is consistently diving to the rim the moment the ball is put in the air. Whether it’s learning a little something from Torrey Craig or simply listening to his coaches, it’s just another example of Dosunmu prioritizing what his coaching staff wants,” Schuster added.

Ayo Dosunmu in the first half vs the Nuggets:

6 Points
3 Rebound
6 Assists
3-5 FG (60%) pic.twitter.com/YFb9YiW3Lm

— hoopswithbulls (@BullsWrld_) October 16, 2023

Better playmaking

On top of all that, Dosunmu is showing better court awareness, racking up 15 assists in the last four games. And before his four-turnover-night against Toronto on Tuesday, he did all that with just one turnover, displaying a tighter handle which he had worked on all summer long.

“Some of these assists have been a direct result of either finding someone while driving into the paint or hitting a cutter after an offensive rebound. In other words, Dosunmu is often creating a domino effect of good.”

This pass by Ayo Dosunmu 🔥 year 3 pic.twitter.com/q4sN5Y1bY6

— Armchair Illinois (@ArmchairIllini) October 14, 2023

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