Coby White is ready for whatever role he'll be given

White is ready to take his game to the next level.

The battle to be the starting point guard of the Chicago Bulls is far from over. However, Coby White has apparently seized the upper hand with his 14-point, six-rebound, six-assist, two-steal performance against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. But regardless if he’s named the starting point guard, the University of North Carolina product said he’s ready to accept whatever role the Bulls give him.

Help the team win

White has put the work in to develop his game. From being a scoring guard coming out of college, the North Carolina native has evolved into a more balanced point guard over the course of his career. The 23-year-old has also become an improved defender and playmaker, which is a testament to his hard work and focus on becoming an all-around player.

“Like I said since I've been here, I'm just here to play basketball and do what I can to help my team win, whatever role that is,” White said. “I've been in so many different roles since I've been here. I've made everything work.”

After coming off the bench in his rookie season, White was handed the reins of the Bulls in his sophomore season and played 31 minutes per night, averaging 15.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. However, his efficiency dipped, as he made just 41 percent of his shots, including 35 percent from three-point land.

Better understanding of the pro game

White's breakout season showcased his improvement. Despite playing fewer minutes and scoring less, it was evident that he had become a better player.

“When I got to the league, and before that, I was known as a scorer. That's who I was. I was the leading scorer in North Carolina basketball history in high school,” White added. “So for me, to see how I've altered my game to be more of a point guard, more of a lead guard, more of a vocal guy, it's been great for me.”

Bulls coach Billy Donovan also praised White for taking the initiative to become a true point guard, understanding the nuances of the pro game, and leading with his voice.

“He’s (White) further along (than he was in the past) in those things like after a made basket, who just made a shot, who’s got a hot hand, who did we need to get involved, who hasn’t touched the ball in a few possessions, are we getting stagnant, do we need ball movement, here’s who we need to go to,” Donovan said.

“Those things he’s further along with. He can still get better, but he’s further along and sees a bigger picture.”