Coby White looks to lock up the starting point guard position

"I'm getting accustomed to it, especially running with the first unit."

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

One of training camp’s most intriguing positional battles is for the starting point guard position. Although Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has yet to name who it will be amongst the team’s cadre of guards, it appears Coby White is the odds-on favorite to land the gig after starting in all four preseason games.

Getting used to rolling with the starters

Except for his five-turnover game versus the Toronto Raptors, the former University of North Carolina ace has been playing in control on both ends. He admits there’s still a learning curve to playing with the “Big 3” of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, but he is up to the challenge.

“I’m getting accustomed to it, especially running with the first unit,” White said. “I haven’t done that on this team really at all. I haven’t played with those guys a lot because the first two years with the, I came off the bench. So it’s an adjustment period, but it’s been fun. I love the challenge of it. I’m getting better.”

Coby from distance 🎯@NBCSChicago | @CobyWhite pic.twitter.com/tgQIYbuOmc

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 16, 2023

Paint attacker

The Bulls’ coaching staff has emphasized the need for the Bulls to get into the paint and create plays from there. Whether it’s drop-offs to cutters or kick-outs to open shooters, they need this from their starting floor general. 

Coby has been adept at doing that in the preseason, compiling 17 assists in four games. White asserted he remains a work in progress, but if he does end up as the starter, he will make the most of the opportunity.

“If I do end up being that starting point guard, I’m not going to take it for granted like I always say. I’m going to try to take advantage of every opportunity I get.”

18 first-half points for @CobyWhite 🪣 pic.twitter.com/YIrzsUKrI2

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 16, 2023

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