NEWSLETTER
As if starting him all four preseason games didn’t make it obvious enough, head coach Billy Donovan confirmed on Tuesday night that Ayo Dosunmu has won the starting point guard job.
“He’s basically going to start there for us,” Donovan told reporters after the team’s preseason finale. “I feel very comfortable with him. I think with Goran, with where he is at this stage and point in his career, there is a huge impact he can make on our team … but Ayo right now is going to be the guy back there for us, and I think he’s done a really good job this training camp and preseason games.”
Dosunmu averaged 10.2 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 27 minutes per game during the Bulls’ preseason action. He shot an extremely efficient 51.8 percent from the field and 6-11 from long range.
While the Bulls walked into these exhibition games with plenty of options in the backcourt, Dosunmu always seemed to make the most sense as the team’s replacement for Lonzo Ball. Not only did he earn valuable experience alongside the team’s starters last season (started 40 games), but he might very well be one of the team’s best two-way players.
He offers the lineup the kind of length and multi-positional defensive talent that the team needs alongside their offensive-minded starters. As for the offensive end, he’s proven to be a talented transition scorer and unselfish passer whose catch-and-shoot ability from behind the arc only seems to improve.
Goran Dragic undoubtedly brings a level of experience and shotmaking that the Bulls should find valuable, but Donovan suggested that using those skills off the bench would be best for both parties at this point in his career. Meanwhile, Coby White simply hasn’t proven to be consistent enough as a shooter or active enough as a defender to warrant the playing time over Dosunmu.
The 22-year-old was asked what it meant to earn the role after the game, and he surely sounded grateful for the high-profile opportunity:
“I’m thankful because this is a great organization and we have a chance to do something special,” Dosunmu told 670 The Score’s Cody Westerlund. “For me to be named the point guard, that’s a blessing. I’m continuing to work hard. Take it day by day, get better. Looking forward to getting better and grow as a team.”
Again, none of this should come as a major surprise, but it’s nice to know the decision is official with over a week to go before the regular season. Dosunmu can now lock into his role, and the team can practice knowing who will man one of the most important positions on the team.
Congrats to Ayo! Time to win some games.
