Coby White says he is ready for the responsibility of running Charlotte's offense and plans to handle his expanded role "the Coby White way."
Coby White took over as the Charlotte Hornets point guard this summer, and at media day Monday he said he will do it "the Coby White way."
Charlotte acquired White from the Chicago Bulls on the eve of the February trade deadline. He agreed to a three-year, $74 million deal, weeks after Charlotte dealt LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.
White Embraces Challenge of Running Hornets Offense
White said he has to have grace with himself as he grows into the job. He also believes taking on the responsibility is necessary for him to become the player he wants to be.
"I feel extremely confident," White said. "And I think I got to do it my way. And I'm excited to see what that looks like for myself. I got to do it the Coby White way. But I have the utmost confidence in myself. I think the work always going to show. And I work really hard in my craft. And I sacrifice a lot for the game that I love. So I'm excited to see what this year holds."
"It's a different opportunity," White continued. "I'm in a unique situation, a unique opportunity. And it's definitely one of the main reasons why I did want to come back here was because I knew it would make me a better player. I knew it would be a challenge for the road ahead. And I knew that in order for me to become the player that I strive to be, that I dream of becoming, I have to take on this challenge."
"So that was one of the biggest reasons why I did want to come back, was I knew that I would be in a different role, being a different light, and I'll have a lot of responsibility in a lot of my shoulders," White added. "And I think I'm ready for it at this point in my career, maturity-wise, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. So I'm just excited for the road ahead. I can't tell you what it's going to look like, but I know that I'm excited to see just like you are."
White's Role Has Changed Throughout NBA Career
White grew up in Goldsboro, N.C. He wore No. 0 in Chicago and wears No. 3 in Charlotte. He played one season at North Carolina, where he scored a career-high 34 points against Syracuse on Feb. 26, 2019. Chicago drafted him seventh overall that June.
White told Andscape's Marc J. Spears last year that basketball saved his life, keeping him away from friends who were getting involved with gangs when he was 13 and 14.
His role with the Bulls moved around. He started 54 games in his second season, 2020-21, then came off the bench for most of the next two years and averaged 9.7 points as a reserve in 2022-23.
In 2023-24, he started 78 of 79 games and averaged career highs of 19.1 points and 5.1 assists. His 20.4-point average in 2024-25 remains the best of his career, and he has averaged 15.4 points over seven seasons.
The Bulls moved him to Charlotte at the February deadline. A left calf strain delayed his Hornets debut until Feb. 24 at Chicago, and he played 21 games for Charlotte. Injuries had also held him to a dozen appearances with Chicago through much of December, and the Hornets went 44-38 overall.
White turned 26 on Feb. 16. ESPN's annual player rankings placed him 94th heading into this season, down from 71st.
White Calls Return to North Carolina a 'Blessing'
Chicago was the only NBA team White had known before February, and he said Monday that being back in North Carolina may have helped him settle in. Now he sees an opportunity to take advantage of a roster built with both young talent and veteran experience.
"I think it's a blessing," White explained. "It's a blessing to be in this moment. For me, you can't make this stuff up. I think, like I said, everybody knows spiritually I'm a believer in Christ. So I think He has a plan. And if you would have told me two years ago that this is where I'd be sitting at right here, I wouldn't believe you. But I'm excited. I'm blessed. I'm fortunate."
"We have a really talented team, a lot of versatile guys, a lot of unique players," White continued. "So I'm excited to share the floor. And we brought in some really good vets and I'm excited to learn from. So we've got a really good team, and I'm excited for the opportunity that I have. I think it's on me to take full advantage of it."
The veterans he mentioned include Dennis Schröder, Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and Naz Reid. Ball averaged 7.3 assists in 303 games for Charlotte.
White came off the bench for 19 points when Charlotte beat the Miami Heat in overtime in its April 14 play-in game, and his 3-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation forced overtime.
White's first training camp with the Hornets opens Tuesday. The regular season starts Oct. 21 at the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET.
