Ayo Dosunmu to play in NBA Rising Stars Game

Another Chicago Bull is heading to Salt Lake City, Utah, to participate in the 2023 All-Star festivities. Sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu has been chosen to replace injured Houston Rockets star Jalen Green in the NBA Rising Stars Game. The former Illinois product will be playing for Team Deron.

Second time around

This is Dosunmu's second appearance in the game after being chosen to play last season. Tasked with manning the point guard position for the Bulls instead of the injured Lonzo Ball, Dosunmu has put up solid numbers of 9.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.

Although the results have been a mixed bag, with the team currently sitting outside of the playoff race, there is no doubt that Dosunmu's development this season has been impressive.

Chicago's Own Rising Star ⭐️@AyoDos_11 has been named to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge for the second-straight year and will play on Friday night! pic.twitter.com/0hwYjtDXZm
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 16, 2023

A welcome distraction from a tiring second year

The news of his selection is a much-needed distraction for Bulls fans, who have had to endure an up-and-down ride. The Bulls have lost six in a row heading to the All-Star break and are in 11th place in the standings, two games behind the no. 10 seed Toronto Raptors.

With a spot in the play-in tournament still within striking distance, the Bulls have been linked to several point guards in the buyout market, namely John Wall, Patrick Beverley, and former MVP Russell Westbrook, who has yet to be bought out by the Utah Jazz. Dosunmu hears all this talk but is not fazed by it.

“At the end of the day, I just have to come out here and try to do whatever I can to help the team win. When I’m on the court, I try to do that. That’s always been my motto,” said Dosunmu.

Representing us in Salt Lake City 🗻@AyoDos_11 x @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/I3CMxZ3LbT
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 17, 2023