(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Ayo Dosunmu has been one of the best season-long stories for a Chicago Bulls team that is in competition for a top seed in the eastern conference for the first time since the departure of Derrick Rose.
Various injuries and COVID-related absences opened a large hole in the middle of the Bulls’ rotation, allowing the second-round pick the opportunity to gain some valuable on-court experience in his inaugural season. He has more than stepped up to the challenge.
Hailing from Morgan Park and starring at the University of Illinois, Dosunmu has hometown hero written all over him. His defensive intensity and never-back-down attitude play perfectly into Chicago’s defensive-minded sports culture, causing him to quickly become a fan favorite.
Very few rookies show the level of poise that Dosunmu has this early in his career. Humility and a willingness to learn are traits that usually take a player far in professional sports and the Bulls rookie is surrounded by some of the smartest minds in basketball.
Ayo Dosunmu has been an amazing rookie for the Chicago Bulls this season.
Any young player would be lucky to play for former two-time NCAA tournament champion head coach Billy Donovan. Also, it appears that All-Star starter DeMar DeRozan has taken Dosunmu under his wing, providing the latter with an invaluable role model at the height of his career.
There are three aspects of Dosunmu’s game that shine above the rest ad those are defense, facilitating, and shooting efficiency. All three of these traits are uncommon in rookies and are usually improved through time and experience.
Dosunmu has proven he’s very much ahead of schedule. We’re going to venture through a standout performance within the last month in which Dosunmu has demonstrated each of these skills to near perfection: