Coby White scores 24 points in third preseason game; will reportedly come off the bench

The former Tar Heel had the best performance of his young career

Coby White made the most of his first start, as the rookie point guard scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a losing effort as Indiana topped Chicago 105-87 on Friday night in a preseason game.

With the Bulls sitting their regular starters, White took center stage, hitting 10 of 22 field goal attempts, including 4 of 9 3-point attempts.

Afterward, Bulls coach Jim Boylen told the Chicago Sun-Times he isn't defining White as a point guard or shooting guard, but rather wants him to, "Be a baller." 

Through three games, White is second on Chicago's roster with an average of 16.3 points in 27.3 minutes, hitting 19 of 47 field goal attempts (40.4 percent) to go with 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

The Sun-Times also reports that White is likely to begin the regular season coming off the bench, as the Bulls will turn to Tomas Satoransky at point guard.

Satoransky spent the past three seasons with the Washington Wizards, averaging 8.9 points, 5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 54 starts last season, filling in for the injured John Wall.

According to this story from K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, White will likely be looked to for scoring on the second unit.

After traveling to take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night, the Bulls will play host to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night at 8 p.m. in a matchup that will be televised on NBA TV.

That game will serve as a final tune-up before White and the Bulls open the regular season on Oct. 23 in Charlotte in one of two matchups with the Hornets before December.