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Donovan Mitchell believes Coby White is definitely in the running for Most Improved Player

Coby White has Donovan Mitchell’s vote.

Stephen Beslic

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The Cleveland Cavaliers’ All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell had praise and respect for the Chicago Bulls’ rising star Coby White after the two duked it out on Wednesday night. Although Mitchell and the Cavs prevailed, 108-105, the high-flying guard took note of White’s incredible performance.

Familiar with White’s road to relevancy

Donovan was previously represented by Ty Sullivan, White’s current agent, so he knows some of the things White has been through to get to where he is today. Coming out of UNC, White was primarily known as a scorer and little else. These days, he’s “Mr. Do-It-All” for the Bulls, scoring and creating for his teammates on one end and defending opposing guards on the other.

During Wednesday's game, White scored an impressive 32 points, occasionally outshining Mitchell in the process.

“He’s been scoring, he’s been making guys around him better, making winning plays,” Mitchell said.

“Then making me pay for not rotating at the end of the game, 11-of-17 from the field. Those are timely shots.”

A Most Improved Player favorite

White’s transformation from one-dimensional player to franchise cornerstone wasn’t an overnight process. It took several years of off-season work and in-season trials and tribulations to get to where he is now.

But White didn't let those struggles define him. Instead, he used them as motivation to improve his game and become a more well-rounded player. He spent countless hours in the gym working on his shot and studying film to learn how to make better decisions on the court.

His hard work paid off in his fifth year with the Bulls when he regained his spot in the starting five.

“He’s gotten better. To see the growth, the confidence. You can see it in his eyes. There’s the look like he belongs here, he deserves to be playing like this. I have the utmost respect for his game and for him,” Mitchell remarked.

“He’s up there in that (Most Improved Player) conversation, for sure.”

Coby White on taking the last shot vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers

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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

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