Originally from Chicago and passed by the University of Illinois, Ayo Dosunmu already represented a great story even before he played the slightest minute in the NBA, he who was just drafted by his heart franchise – the Bulls – there a few months old. But this story has only just begun and many beautiful pages are to be written for this rookie selected in only 38th position.
We say “only” because given what he brings to Chicago at the moment, we wonder how he could not have left earlier in the Draft. Tonight, against the Cavaliers, Ayo was a big contributor to the Bulls’ 117-104 victory by compiling 18 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals on 7/8 shooting (including 3/4 from parking), all in 39 minutes. A welcome performance to allow Chicago to put their heads back against a quality opponent and after four consecutive defeats. But a performance that does not come out of nowhere. Having become a part that counts in Billy Donovan’s rotation over the first part of the season, the rookie is currently taking advantage of the many absences on the Bulls backcourt (no Lonzo Ball, no Zach LaVine, an Alex Caruso who has just returned) to gain in responsibilities and above all take an increasingly important place in the hearts of Chicago fans: three consecutive starts in the last three games of the Bulls, nearly 40 minutes on average (!), and three very attractive performances for the youngster :
- 21 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists in 40 minutes against Boston
- 15 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks in 38 minutes against Memphis
- 18 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals in 39 minutes against Cleveland
Ayo Dosunmu over his last 3 games:
18.0 PPG
8.0 APG
5.7 RPG
2.0 SPG
76.7% FG
70% 3PT pic.twitter.com/QUFdijb0Zb— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 20, 2022
If the Bulls have lost two of those three games and are just coming off their worst streak of the season (four straight losses), Ayo clearly represents a bright spot while he remained on a few complicated outings to start the year 2022. At the start of the season, Dosunmu had mainly earned his minutes through the energy he brought to the Bulls off the bench. This youthful energy is still present but today, it is above all his contribution in the different sectors of the game that impresses on the side of the Windy City. Scoring, playmaking, little waste, big defense… in short, the kid already ticks a lot of boxes. It’s not every year that we see rookies already possessing such a level of maturity, even more so for a boy selected in the second round of the NBA Draft. In the jargon, we speak of “steal” and clearly, Ayo has the profile.
“His maturity is what impresses me the most about him. He is incredibly mature. Given the presence he brings to a good team like ours, you wouldn’t say he’s a rookie. You have to be special to behave like he does.
He always asks questions, he always looks for ways to keep learning. He accepts his mistakes, he holds himself accountable, and that’s important in a young player. He has great self-confidence, and it shows on the pitch. He is always ready for the big moments. »
– DeMar DeRozan on Ayo Dosunmu, in a press conference after the game against the Cavs
With the responsibilities he currently has and especially the way he responds to the challenge, Ayo Dosunmu is increasingly establishing himself as a key member of the Bulls rotation, and that could well help both the player and the team. in view of the major spring deadlines. Maybe in a few months, we’ll look back in Chicago and remember that losing streak and the various sores as a blessing in disguise that really helped Ayo rise., who proves night after night his ability to step-up to help Chicago. In the meantime, Dosunmu will have to continue because Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball are already out for the road trip of three upcoming games (Bucks, Magic, Thunder). Zach has a sore knee and Lonzo is downright suffering from a small meniscus tear according to the latest news, which could leave him sidelined for several weeks in the event of an operation. If the return of Alex Caruso will necessarily do good, especially defensively, the Bulls will therefore need Ayo to hope to keep their place on the throne of the Eastern Conference, a throne also coveted by teams like Miami, Brooklyn or even Milwaukee, which are not far behind.
While the Bulls experienced a difficult period between injuries and defeats, Ayo Dosunmu took the opportunity to take a real step forward in his development, enough to bring great promise for the future, both for the rookie and for the whole of the Chicago team. Of course, do not expect him to turn 18 points and 8 assists for the rest of the season, he who will find his place in the second unit when the Bulls are back to full. But clearly, we are under the spell.
Ayo all the way!@NBCSChicago | #BullsSocialNight pic.twitter.com/d9M0brrZzC
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 20, 2022
