By R.L. Bynum
Coby White knows this season could define his career.
The Chicago Bulls guard enters his sixth NBA season as the Chicago Bulls’ longest-tenured player and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
“My mentality is just to help my team win at all costs,” said the former Carolina star, who figures to slot in at the two spot alongside point guard Josh Giddey and play some at the three spot.
A strained calf suffered a month ago will limit him early in training camp, though. White said that while the injury isn’t serious, he and the Bulls’ medical staff are being cautious, especially given how many players have seen calf strains turn into more serious Achilles issues.
“I have the time to really let it heal and get back strong,” White said at Chicago’s media day on Monday. “You’ve got to be cautious with this type of thing and be there when it matters, when the regular season starts.”
With his health as the immediate focus, White still faces a bigger-picture question about his future. This will be his first chance to hit unrestricted free agency, but he said he isn’t letting that distract him.
“I’m taking it day by day,” said White, who will make $2.88 million this season. “I’m here now, focused on how I can help my team win and get better. I love being here, I love the front office, I love the relationship I’ve built with Coach [Billy Donovan]. Me and my teammates are super-close. I’m enjoying every moment.”
White had a breakout performance last season with career-highs of 20.4 points per game, 45.3% shooting from the floor and 90.2% at the free-throw line while shooting 37% from 3-point range.
That made him one of the league’s most improved players who could be a cornerstone for Chicago’s future. Bulls Executive Vice President Artūras Karnišovas was quick to express the organization’s feelings about him.
“We love Coby,” Karnišovas said. “He’s improved the last two years. He was great last year, and hopefully he’s going to be here for a long time.”
White said he wants to build on his breakout year, not just maintain it.
“My main goal is to win,” he said. “But personally, I want to take that next step and become an All-Star-caliber player. And I want to shoot above 40% from three. I think I should have already done that.”
He spent the offseason focusing on improving his physical and technical skills. That meant cutting red meat from his diet, eating more fish and chicken, and spending hours working on off-ball movement and attacking defensive switches.
“Teams started switching a lot last year,” White said. “So, I worked on how I can attack those and get to my spots.”
That improvement, he said, will also make him an even better fit next to Giddey.
“One of the reasons I worked on moving off the ball so much is because he sees passes no one thinks are there,” White said.
White also said that the Bulls can take a collective step forward if they improve their physicality. That was a major focus over the summer after back-to-back Play-In Tournament losses to Miami.
“They were the more physical team,” he said. “For us to take that next step, we have to become more physical — fighting through screens, being tougher on defense. That’s been the message all summer.”
He grinned when reminded that, despite still being just 25, he’s the longest-tenured Bull.
“I believe in the guys in this locker room,” he said. “I trust my teammates, and we’re going to compete, take it day by day, and get better.”
White knows this season could lead to his first All-Star appearance, his first playoff run and a major payday next summer. Whether that next step comes in Chicago or elsewhere, he seems determined to make sure it’s his best season yet.
Tar Heels in NBA camps
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 28 games, 6.4 points, 42.6 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 54.1 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Team record: 17–22, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: (at) Nuggets 108, Bucks 104 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Tuesday: Timberwolves 139, Bucks 106 — 9:11, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at San Antonio
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 40 games, 11.3 points, 43.5 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 86.8 FT%, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 26–13, 2nd in Western Conference
Sunday: (at) Timberwolves 104, Spurs 103 — Started; 32:11, 13 points, 5–11 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Tuesday: (at) Thunder 119, Spurs 98 — Started; 23:40, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–5 3FG, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 fouls, -1
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs Milwaukee
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 31 games, 4.0 points, 55.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 73.7 FT%, 2.6 rebounds
Team record: 8–31, 15th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Cavaliers 120, Pacers 116 — 11:42, 0–2 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -9
Thursday: Pacers 114, (at) Hornets 112 — 15:00, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 foul, +7
Saturday: Pacers 123, Heat 99 — 4:20, 3 points, 0–3 FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, -4
Monday: Pacers 123, Heat 99 — 5:41, -1
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Toronto
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 26–13, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 33 games, 10.8 points, 38.7 FG%, 32.9 3P%, 73.2 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 19–22, 9th in Western Conference
Friday: Blazers 103, Rockets 102 — Didn’t start; 24:35, 18 points, 6–13 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, -7
Sunday: Knicks 123, Blazers 114 — Didn’t start; 28:39, 21 points, 8–18 FG, 5–12 3FG, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -11
Tuesday: (at) Warriors 119, Blazers 97 — Started (Avdija out with lower back soreness; Love’s 1st career start); 33:55, 17 points, 5–16 FG, 2–9 3FG, 5–8 FT, 3 rebounds, career-high 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, -14
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Atlanta
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 27 games, 6.0 points, 46.0 FG%, 30.5 3FG%, 90.3 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 11–26, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Magic 104, Nets 103 — Didn’t start; 18:42, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: Clippers 121, Nets 105 — Didn’t start; 14:34, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block -7
Sunday: (at) Grizzlies 103, Nets 98 — Didn’t play; management of left knee injury
Monday: (at) Mavericks 113, Nets 105 — Started (2nd start of the season); 10 points, 5–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 turnovers, -7
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 36 games, 7.7 points, 59.7 FG%, 21.4 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 11–26, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Magic 104, Nets 103 — Didn’t start; 18:42, 2 points, 1–6 FG, 0–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: Clippers 121, Nets 105 — Didn’t start; 17:03, 6 points, 3–6 FG, 0–2 3FG, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -1
Sunday: (at) Grizzlies 103, Nets 98 — Didn’t start; 20:33, 8 points, 4–7 FG, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, +5
Monday: (at) Mavericks 113, Nets 105 — Didn’t start; 22:42, 14 points, 4–7 FG, 6–6 FT, 12 rebounds, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, +2
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans
Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 18 games, 18.6 points, 45.0 FG%, 31.7 3PFG, 80.0 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists
Team record: 18–20, 10th in Eastern Conference
Saturday: Bulls 125, Mavericks 107 — Started; 28:56, 22 points, 9–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 3 blocks, +18
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 119, Bulls 113 — Didn’t play; injury management for right calf injury
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Utah
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 21 games, 10.5 points, 44.7 FG%, 27.4 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals
Team record: 5–2, 4th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 6–8, fifth in East Division
Wednesday: Capital City 112, Motor City Cruise 104 — Started; 34 minutes, 9 points, 4–5 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 4 steals, 1 turnover, 1 block, =/- of 0
Friday: Capital City 114, Motor City Cruise 106 — Started; 3 points, 1–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Long Island Nets, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 21 games, 5.4 points, 44.9 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.3 of a block
Team record: 4–8, 13th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 5–7, seventh in South Division
Sunday: Raptors 905 118, Birmingham 73 — 29 minutes, 6 points, 1–6 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -25
Tuesday: Raptors 905 99, Birmingham 98 — 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Motor City Cruise, ESPN=
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 20 games, 16.9 points, 41.4 FG%, 34.8 3P%, 88.5 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 5.` assists, 0.9 of a steal
Team record: 4–3, 5th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 7–7, fifth in West Division
Tuesday: South Bay 113, Memphis Hustle 101 — Started; 36 minutes, 17 points, 3–5 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 8 turnovers, +11
Friday: (at) Austin Spurs 111, South Bay 99 — Started; 7 points, 3–13 FG, 1–6 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, -13
Saturday: (at) Austin Spurs 107, South Bay 106 — Started; 33 minutes, 12 points, 4–14 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, +5
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. San Diego Clippers, ESPN+
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 13 games, 16.2 points, 51.9 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 63.3 FT%, 11.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 3–4, tied for 11th in Western Conference; finished Showcase Cup 12–2, first in South Division
Friday: (at) Austin Spurs 111, South Bay 99 — Started; 22 points, 10–17 FG, 0–3 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 foul, +5
Saturday: (at) Austin Spurs 107, South Bay 106 — Started; 38 minutes, 6 points, 1–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 18 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 fouls, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -4
Next game — 8 p.m. Saturday vs. South Bay Lakers
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 9 games, 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 4–5, 10th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Thursday: (at) Long Island Nets 121, Wisconsin 112 — Started; 17 points, 6–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, +5
Sunday: Wisconsin 109, (at) Grand Rapids Gold 95 — Started; 34 minutes, 42 points, 16–19 FG, 5–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +14
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Maine Celtics, ESPN+
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 14 games, 19.6 points, 48.7 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 89.7 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 steals
Team record: 4–5, 10th in Eastern Conference; finished Showcase Cup 4–10, eighth in Central Division
Thursday: (at) Long Island Nets 121, Wisconsin 112 — Started; 19 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 fouls, 4 steals, 1 turnover, -15
Sunday: Wisconsin 109, (at) Grand Rapids Gold 95 — Started; 38 minutes, 24 points, 7–12 FG, 6–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 7 turnovers, +9
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Maine Celtics, ESPN+
Photo via YouTube screenshot
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