Can Coby White Become Chicago Bulls' No.1 Guard?

Kevin Lu

Sep 10, 2025, 13:30

Kevin Lu

Sep 10, 2025, 13:30

Updated at: Sep 10, 2025, 13:30

Since being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of 2019, Coby White has steadily grown from a promising rookie into one of the team’s most reliable players. Last season, he emerged as a key contributor, scoring a career-high 20.4 points per game (second-best on the team), along with 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 74 appearances.

Honed in North Carolina and shone at UNC for just a season, he showcased scoring bursts, composure in the backcourt, and the kind of leadership that gave the Bulls consistency in an otherwise turbulent season. As the 2025–26 season approaches, the question lingers: can White truly rise to become the Bulls’ No. 1 option?

Coby White Shows Yearly Improvement

What stands out most about White’s trajectory is his steady development. Beyond his career-best scoring last season, his shooting efficiency has climbed every year, boosting his true shooting percentage from 50.6% early in his rookie year to an impressive 60.1% last season, proof of both improved shot selection and growing confidence. For a team that has often struggled, White’s progress has been a stabilizing factor.

When comparing him to other rising guards in the league, White belongs in the conversation. Players like Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia or Jalen Brunson in New York have taken leaps from secondary options to cornerstones. White’s output mirrors that mold: a guard who not only scores but facilitates, makes smart decisions, and shoulders more responsibility when his teammates falter.

Apr 1, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) drives on Toronto Raptors guard A.J. Lawson (0) during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Playing around outstanding teammates, his stability has also shifted the Bulls’ backcourt dynamic. With Alex Caruso, White provided offensive firepower that balances Caruso’s defensive focus. His ball-handling and playmaking also eased the load on DeMar DeRozan, allowing the veteran to conserve energy and operate more efficiently in clutch time. Defensively, White isn’t elite, but his improvement keeps him viable in closing lineups — a far cry from earlier seasons when his defense was a liability.

Can He Truly Be the Bulls’ No. 1 Option?

This is the defining question for Chicago’s future. White’s ability to run the offense with poise proves he could fill a center-piece role, but stepping into the true No. 1 guard means more than numbers. It requires consistency, leadership, and the ability to carry the franchise on nights when everything else breaks down.

The stakes are high. With Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball being traded, the backcourt is now mostly White’s to command. More possessions, more touches, and more responsibility all point to the possibility of a breakout year for him. If he thrives under that pressure, the Bulls might have the franchise guard they’ve lacked since Derrick Rose. If not, Chicago’s ongoing identity crisis will only deepen.

For a franchise searching desperately for direction, Coby White’s next leap could be the most important development in Chicago basketball.

Can Coby White Become Chicago Bulls' No.1 Guard?