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Billy Donovan impressed by Coby White's first preseason game: "His ball handling and confidence with the ball has really really grown"

Coby White got high praise from coach Billy Donovan.

Harvey Glassbrook

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The Chicago Bulls have been searching for their next starting point guard ever since Lonzo Ball went down with a knee injury. Though it’s far from a done deal, it appears there’s a clear-cut frontrunner for the role in Coby White. 

The former University of North Carolina Tar Heel was impressive versus the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon, tallying 14 points, six assists, and six rebounds in 23 minutes of action.

Keeping the momentum going

After showing tremendous improvements in his fourth year in the NBA, White earned a new deal from the Bulls, re-signing for three years. He did not take long to prove to the Bulls’ front office that they made the right call in keeping him.

“I liked the way he (Coby) played quite a bit,” said Bulls coach Billy Donovan.

“Starting the game, I liked the way we were playing. We were moving the ball, got downhill. We didn’t shoot it well to start (38% first quarter with a 30-21 lead). But Coby did some really really good things," he concluded.

Confidence has grown

White with more composure in his fourth season; whether it was better shot selection, a tighter handle of the ball, or smarter defense, he has grown in confidence and appears to be on the cusp of having a career year. Donovan himself has noticed the difference in his game, praising his peak conditioning and athleticism.

“I noticed this summer when I went to see him, he physically looked different; the ball looked to be more on a string for him,” Donovan said.

“He had his legs under him. In college, he was probably so accustomed to using his speed to run by people, but now it’s the skill he’s put the work into. His ball handling and confidence with the ball has really really grown.”

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Harvey Glassbrook
HARVEY GLASSBROOK

Chicago Bulls fan ever since “the shrug.” Meeting Jud Buechler at the Berto Center before the Last Dance season is one of my GOAT NBA moments, followed by watching two games at the United Center during that campaign. Virginia Military Institute graduate and a recovering sneakerhead. 

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