The good news updates keep churning along for Bulls guard Coby White, who’s been dealing with a shoulder injury (and rehabbing a shoulder injury) since mid-summer. According to Rob Schaefer at NBC Sports Chicago, White “participated in a full-court, 5-on-5 scrimmage with Bulls player development staffers,” as well as Troy Brown Jr., Alize Johnson, and Tyler Cook.
Head coach Billy Donovan expanded on the progress in Schaefer’s post:
“He’s moving closer and closer to getting to a point where he’s going to be cleared to practice,” Billy Donovan told NBC Sports Chicago. “He’s getting a chance to do obviously more contact. I’d like to see him against our guys.”
Donovan also pointed to White’s increased confidence in his shoulder, as well as improved shoulder strength. However, he was quick to point out that even after he is ready to practice, he’s not likely to look like himself right away: “I just don’t know what that looks like. He’s missed the entire summer, he’s missed all of training camp, however many days it is of regular practices, and now he’s in an NBA game. I’m not 100 percent sure of what that’s going to look like, in fairness to him.”
The Bulls could certainly use White’s scoring ability in the second unit, but rushing him back really shouldn’t be the priority right now. Although the team is still in the middle of the toughest part of their regular season schedule, remaining focused on his long-term health is more important. He will be back eventually, likely sometime this month, and that’s good enough for me, for now.
Please hop over to Schaefer’s article for more from Donovan and Lonzo Ball, as well as some additional context on how the Bulls can use White’s abilities, when he’s ready to return.