Coby White believes the next step to improving his game is learning how to move without the ball

"I need to watch more film on moving without the ball, getting into those open areas."

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Coby White has come a long way from a guard whose primary focus was scoring the ball and nothing else to a full-fledged court general who has grabbed the mantle of the Chicago Bulls' starting point guard. 

The young player has shown tremendous growth in his game and has become a fan favorite with his explosive scoring ability and high basketball IQ.

But White knows there is always room for improvement and cannot rest on his laurels. In a recent interview, the 23-year-old shared his thoughts on taking his game to the next level – by learning to move without the ball.

Trying to expand his arsenal

The former Tar Heel showed remarkable improvement in his game last season, but nobody saw this ascent coming. After averaging only 9.7 points per game last season, White was handed the reins to the offense and took full advantage of it. He’s now averaging 17.9 points and 4.9 assists per game and gaining consideration for the league’s Most Improved Player award.

With opposing defenses now aware of his capabilities, White is often guarded by the best defenders on the opposing team. This has forced him to find new ways to contribute and expand his offensive repertoire beyond scoring. Coby emphasized that learning how to move without the ball would allow him to find open spaces he could take advantage of or create opportunities for his teammates.

“Figure out how to move without the ball more,” White said when asked what part of his game he can improve on. 

“I need to watch more film on moving without the ball, getting into those open areas.” 

Coby leading the way 🥶@Calamos | @CobyWhite pic.twitter.com/c3Q2wVksYU

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 6, 2024

Excellent mentors

White’s evolution as a complete offensive player will be crucial, especially with Zach LaVine returning to the lineup. This means the All-Star guard will have his fair share of ball-handling and playmaking, taking away potential touches for White. As a result, White will need to be able to make an impact off the ball and contribute in different ways on the offensive end.

This is where his mentors will come into play. The Chicago Bulls have a strong core of veterans who can help guide White and teach him valuable lessons about positioning, movement, and creating opportunities without having the ball in their hands. White pointed out Alex Caruso and Jevon Carter as players who can serve as mentors to him.

“AC (Alex Caruso) does that really well and JC (Jevon Carter) does it really well, finding open areas, knowing drives and where to be. I want to play off those closeouts because I feel that’s where I’m most impactful, playing off the closeouts with either catch-and-shoots or driving it and get my playmaking involved,” White said.

Give me the hot sauce, Coby White!@NBCSChicago | @CobyWhite pic.twitter.com/3LsER8qMLP

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 6, 2024

Coby White relishes playing in front of the hometown crowd