Dominant Dosunmu: Ayo's Breakout Built on Blazing Speed, Refined Shooting

Michael Walton

Nov 22, 2025, 20:24

Michael Walton

Nov 22, 2025, 20:24

Updated at: Nov 22, 2025, 20:44

He may not end up with NBA hardware at the end of the season, but Ayo Dosunmu is one of the NBA biggest success stories this season.

In the Chicago Bulls deflating 143-107 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday, there was little in terms of bright spots, but there was one familiar one: Ayo Dosunmu. In the loss, he scored 23 points on 64.3% shooting from the field. And the hyper-efficient shooting has been a theme for him all season. The Chicago-native has had a wonderful bounce-back season after a left shoulder injury ended his 2025 season. This year, Dosunmu looks like a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year--Dosunmu in currently 8th in FanDuel odds for 6MOY at +2700--and Most Improved Player candidate as he has been instrumental in the Bulls hot start and overall level of play that has exceeded national expectations.

At the time of the writing, Dosunmu is averaging 16.2 points, 3.2 assists, and shooting 57.1% from the field and 49% from the 3-point line. Obviously, 49% on 3.9 attempts per game from 3-point range is not sustainable, but conversely a drop from 49% on Dosunmu's current volume will still see him finish with career-best efficiency from deep.

Dosunmu has always been a solid scorer, but this season he is looking like a player who can be dominant in a third-scorer role. He can open up space for 3-point attempts with jab steps, that are more effective for him because of his blazing speed. Defenders fear getting beat off the dribble by Dosunmu, so those jab steps can give him just enough daylight to get off a clean look. If Dosunmu jab steps and then commits to a drive, defenders are in even more trouble. This season per Basketball-Reference, Dosunmu is shooting 66% on field goal attempts (FGAs) between 0-3 feet, but just as important, he is shooting a career-best 55.6% on FGAs between 3-10 feet.

His ability to beat bigs off the dribble on switches or in pick-and-roll, and then either hit a layup or pull up short for a floater, has made Dosunmu a dynamic off the dribble threat.

Everything is coming together at the perfect time for Ayo Dosunmu. He is in a contract year, and entering unrestricted free agency following a season where you have a 70.1% (!!) True Shooting Percentage--so far--seems like it would do wonders for your earning potential. The Bulls will likely have to do everything they can to keep Dosunmu.

Dosunmu looks fully recovered from last year's shoulder injury, is the third-leading scorer on the Bulls (16 PPG), and is still a Swiss-Army Knife that plays PG, SG, and SF, at times for Billy Donovan. The high-energy, layups and 3s, do-it-all playstyle of Dosunmu makes him a player capable of being a solid contributor to any team, but this year's leap shows that he can be much more.

Dominant Dosunmu: Ayo's Breakout Built on Blazing Speed, Refined Shooting