It’s a brisk, January afternoon in Chicago and Coby White has a game to get to — the 42nd of his career — against the Washington Wizards. Hours before tip, White slowly rolls up to the players' entrance to the United Center, where an arena security guard meets him and wordlessly swings the entry gate open.
That gesture might seem mundane to some. But even then, it was a sign of how far White had come in his rookie season.
“The first couple games, I guess because I was a rookie, [security] would come up to my window and be like, ‘What’s your name?’... Uh, Coby,” White said in NBC Sports’ Wire to Wire documentary. The show debuted on NBC Sports Chicago on Saturday and will be replayed this Monday and Wednesday night following Bulls games.
Now, just months after having trouble getting into the UC parking lot, White is in the midst of a breakout unprecedented for a rookie reserve. Entering the Bulls' Saturday night game against the Knicks, White had logged three 30-point games in a row. In nine February games, he averaged 20.1 points and 4.1 assists on 43.3/41.1/93.5 shooting splits. That’s a far cry from his averages of 11.1 points and 2.1 assists on 37.6/34.5/72.9 through January.
It’s the latest crest in what White has often described as an “up and down” rookie campaign. There are layers to that turbulence, from on-court adjustments to the inherent pressure that comes with bursting onto the NBA scene as a high lottery pick to a storied franchise.
“The people in the city, when I first got here, they accepted me, they all showed love and was excited for me to be here,” White said in the documentary. “It’s a lot different for me. When I was at Carolina, I started, I was the main point guard, I was the guy. Here, you’re playing with dudes, especially like Tomas [Satoransky] and Kris Dunn, they’ve been in the league for a long time and they’re really good… So I’ve been playing on and off the ball a lot. Been coming off the bench. And for young kids, it takes some adjustments to get used to.”
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And of the weight a Bulls jersey can carry: “For me to be playing in this historic organization, sometimes it seems surreal. I never imagined myself being here, playing for the Bulls. It’s fun but it’s also kinda stressful ’cause you got so much high expectation on this team and for this program. So yeah, it’s definitely a blessing to be a part of this historic organization.”
But through the peaks and valleys customary for a 19-year-old (now 20) starting out in the league, White has kept his head. He understands this first chapter of his career is a process. Fortunately — for all the talk of locker room strife surrounding this team — White said he’s found support from his teammates in myriad forms throughout that process.
“Everybody's cool. We don't have anybody that stands out or thinks they're better than anybody else. Everybody's pretty much on the same page," White said. "So, I think that's really important for team chemistry."
He cited Daniel Gafford and Dunn as specific sources of support over the course of his young career.
“Me and Daniel, we really gel off the court and on the court, but off the court, we’re kinda like a family. That’s my guy. We came in together, so, we talk about basketball but more we just talk about life," White added. And of Dunn: "I watched KD, Kris Dunn, when he was at Providence and I knew he was a killer no matter what. I’d already seen him play. On and off the court he's taught me a lot. Since I’ve been here, he’s been a help. He’s been a guy I can turn to going through things. He’s willing to listen and he’s willing to give his honest opinion."
The focus now, down the stretch of a season meandering towards lost-cause status, is building on the strides he’s made, even if that momentum doesn’t always translate in a linear fashion.
“Patience is key,” White said. “I feel like my time is coming.”
If his most recent torrid stretch is any indication, that time might come sooner rather than later.
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