Coby White credits his hometown of Goldsboro for helping him develop his thick skin

How Coby White's hometown, Goldsboro, NC, shaped his path to success.

© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

For all the success that Chicago Bulls guard Coby White is enjoying this season, the road to where he is right now wasn’t paved with gold. Growing up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, White endured tough times and experienced difficult struggles that helped him develop the thick skin he has now. 

While White may now be playing for one of the most iconic NBA franchises in the world, he never forgets his roots or the people who have supported him throughout his journey.

The best season of his career

After a slow start to the season, the former Tar Heel has hit his stride in the last 14 games. In that stretch, White has been shooting the lights out from a long distance, averaging 23.4 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. 

When NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson asked how he managed to bounce back after such a rough beginning to the season wherein he shot 29 percent from beyond the arc, White credited his upbringing in Goldsboro.

“I think just being from the city I’m from, being from Goldsboro (North Carolina), kind of shaped me to be who I am. It’s a poor city, and a lot of people don’t make it to the situation that I made it to. I don’t know anybody else from my city that went to the NBA. I’m one of one from my city,” White said.

“And it’s a hard-working city, a grind-it-out city. And the people around me, the people there support me to the fullest. They want to see me succeed. When I’m out there, I’m not playing for myself. I’m playing for my family, I’m playing for God, and I’m playing for my city,” White added.

Another All-Star caliber game from Coby 🥶 @Calamos | @CobyWhite pic.twitter.com/UoSYv9zBg8

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 19, 2023

Came from humble beginnings

The 23-year-old guard, now playing in his fifth year in the NBA, says he always enjoys returning home. In Goldsboro, White says nobody treats him like the rising star he is right now, but rather, the “goofy kid” who worked hard and made his dreams come true in the big city.

“Whenever I go back, nobody treats me different from when I was there. Everybody treats me the same because they know me as this goofy kid. Obviously, I was good at basketball, but other than that, I was always joking and laughing and playing around, so that’s how they treat me when I go back. And that’s what I really appreciate.”

Back-to-back buckets by Coby!@CobyWhite | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/aO2AQr5Xpo

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 19, 2023

Coby White says he's not surprised by how well he's playing this season