Coby White
Alec Jacoby "Coby" White (born February 16, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who serves as a shooting guard and point guard for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing 195 pounds (88 kg), White is known for his scoring prowess, quickness, and three-point shooting ability.[2] Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, he developed his skills at Greenfield School in Wilson, where he averaged 30.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists as a senior, leading his team to a state runner-up finish.[3] White committed to the University of North Carolina (UNC) as a highly touted recruit, ranked No. 27 in the 2018 class by RSCI.[4] In his lone college season during 2018–19, he started all 35 games for the Tar Heels, averaging 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 35.3% from three-point range.[4] His performance earned him second-team All-ACC honors and helped UNC reach the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.[5] White declared for the 2019 NBA draft after his freshman year, forgoing additional college eligibility.[6] Selected seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2019 NBA draft, White signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $25.2 million.[7] He made an immediate impact as a rookie, averaging 14.1 points per game and appearing in all 65 games during the shortened 2019–20 season.[1] Over his first three seasons, White showed steady improvement, transitioning from a bench role to a starter, though he faced challenges with efficiency and injuries, including a shoulder issue in 2021 that sidelined him for the season.[2] White's breakout came in the 2023–24 season, where he averaged a career-high 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 37.5% from three on 7.0 attempts. On July 7, 2023, White signed a three-year contract extension with the Bulls worth $36 million.[8] He set a Bulls franchise record with 14 consecutive games making at least three three-pointers and achieved a career-high 42 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks.[1] In the 2024–25 season, White further elevated his game, scoring a personal-best 44 points in a March matchup, contributing to the Bulls' play-in tournament appearance.[1] As of November 2025, White remains a key offensive piece for Chicago, though he is currently recovering from a right calf strain sustained in preseason, with an expected return in the coming weeks.[9]Early life and high school career
Family background and early influences
Coby White was born on February 16, 2000, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to parents Donald White and Bonita White.[10][11] His father, Donald, had played college basketball as a guard for North Carolina Central University before working as a factory worker, while his mother, Bonita, was employed by an insurance company.[12][13] White grew up alongside his older brother, Will, who also pursued basketball, and his sister, Tia, in a close-knit family environment in Goldsboro.[14][15] From a young age, White's father played a pivotal role in introducing him to basketball, placing a ball in his hands during toddlerhood and frequently taking him to watch Will's AAU games when White was just two years old.[12][16] This early exposure fostered a deep family connection to the sport, with Donald's own background as a player serving as a primary influence on White's initial interest.[12] Tragically, Donald died of liver cancer on August 15, 2017, during White's senior year of high school, an event that profoundly motivated White's performance on the court.[12] Beyond basketball, White's childhood in Goldsboro involved navigating typical adolescent challenges, including periods around ages 13 and 14 when he began associating with peers involved in gang activity, an experience he later credited basketball with helping him avoid.[10] White's first organized basketball experiences came through local youth leagues and AAU teams in North Carolina, where he began competing alongside his brother before entering high school.[12] These early opportunities, supported by his family's encouragement, laid the groundwork for his development, though the family remained based in Goldsboro throughout his formative years.[17]High school achievements at Greenfield School
Coby White attended Greenfield School, a private institution in Wilson, North Carolina, where he played varsity basketball for all four years, starting as a freshman in the 2014–15 season.[3] Over his high school career, White accumulated 3,573 points, establishing the all-time scoring record for North Carolina high school basketball.[18] As a junior in the 2016–17 season, White averaged 31.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game across 33 starts, guiding the Greenfield Knights to a 23–10 record and an advancement to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) 1A state semifinals.[3] His scoring prowess was highlighted by a career-high 52 points in a single game against Faith Assembly Christian School, surpassing the school's previous record.[3] In his senior year of 2017–18, White elevated his performance further, averaging 30.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game while shooting 45% from three-point range and 87% from the free-throw line; he scored over 1,000 points in the season alone.[5] Under his leadership, the Knights achieved a 25–10 record and reached the NCISAA 1A state championship game, finishing as runners-up.[19] White's exceptional contributions earned him prestigious individual honors, including the North Carolina Mr. Basketball award in 2018, repeat Gatorade North Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year (after winning as a junior), and Associated Press North Carolina High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year, where he received 9 of 15 votes.[18][19][20] He was also named a McDonald's All-American, recognizing him among the nation's top senior prospects.[20]College career
Recruitment and freshman year at UNC
White emerged as one of the top high school basketball prospects in the class of 2018, earning five-star status from major recruiting services and receiving scholarship offers from prominent programs such as Kentucky, North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Clemson, and East Carolina.[21][22] His scoring prowess at Greenfield School, where he set North Carolina's all-time high school scoring record, drew widespread attention from coaches across the country.[23] The University of North Carolina entered the recruitment late but decisively, with head coach Roy Williams extending a scholarship offer to White on July 25, 2016, during an evaluation at an AAU tournament.[24] Just three days later, on July 28, White verbally committed to the Tar Heels, forgoing further visits to other schools.[25] He cited UNC as his dream school, emphasizing the program's proximity to his hometown of Wilson, North Carolina—only about a two-hour drive away—and the opportunity to develop under Williams, whose coaching philosophy and personal outreach resonated deeply with him.[26] White signed his national letter of intent during the early signing period on November 8, 2017, solidifying his place in UNC's 2018 recruiting class.[27] As a freshman during the 2018–19 season, White quickly integrated into the Tar Heels' lineup, earning the starting point guard role from the outset under Williams' guidance.[28] He made his collegiate debut on November 6, 2018, in a 92–67 victory over Wofford, where he contributed eight points, three assists, and two rebounds while showing flashes of his speed and decision-making despite early nerves.[29][30] White's adaptation to the college level involved building physical strength to handle the increased pace and physicality, weighing in at around 190 pounds by the season's start, while refining his off-ball movement and leadership to complement his natural scoring instincts.[31][32] He started all 35 games he appeared in, often serving as the primary ball-handler in UNC's uptempo offense, and demonstrated rapid growth in running the point effectively alongside veterans like senior Cameron Johnson.[33] Among his standout early performances, White scored 21 points—14 in the second half—against rival Duke on March 9, 2019, fueling a 79–70 upset win that clinched a share of the ACC regular-season title for the Tar Heels.[34] In the ACC Tournament semifinals later that month, he nearly forced overtime with a game-tying three-point attempt in the final seconds of a 74–73 loss to Duke, highlighting his poise under pressure in high-stakes conference play.[35] These moments against a top-ranked opponent underscored White's transition from high school scorer to key college contributor.[36]Statistical performance and departure
During his freshman season at the University of North Carolina in 2018–19, Coby White emerged as a key contributor for the Tar Heels, averaging 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game across 35 appearances, all as starts.[4] His scoring prowess helped anchor UNC's high-tempo offense, which ranked among the nation's elite in points per game at 85.8.[37] White demonstrated solid shooting efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, where he connected on 35.3 percent of his attempts while setting a UNC freshman record with 82 three-pointers made.[38] He achieved this while maintaining an overall field goal percentage of 42.3 percent and an 80.0 percent success rate at the free-throw line. Standout performances included three 30-plus point games, highlighted by 33 points on 7-of-10 three-point shooting against Texas in November 2018 and another 33 points in an overtime victory over Miami in February 2019, showcasing his ability to take over games as a primary ball-handler.[39][40] A third 30-point outing came with 34 points against Syracuse in February 2019, making him the first UNC freshman to record three such games in a season.[41] His performance earned him second-team All-ACC honors and a selection to the All-ACC Freshman Team.[42] White's contributions were instrumental in UNC's strong campaign, as the Tar Heels captured the ACC regular-season title with a 16–2 conference record and advanced to the league semifinals, where they fell to Duke 74–73.[37][43] In the NCAA Tournament, as a No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, UNC reached the Sweet 16 before a 97–80 loss to Auburn; White averaged 32.3 minutes per game over the three contests, scoring 15 points against Auburn while providing consistent scoring and playmaking in victories over Iona (88–73) and Washington (81–59).[44][45][46] Following the season, White declared for the 2019 NBA Draft on April 3, 2019, opting to forgo his remaining college eligibility after just one year. He cited the UNC experience as preparation for professional basketball, stating it had equipped him for the next phase of his career, a decision informed by consultations with coaches, family, and advisors who affirmed his readiness based on his rapid development and performance.[47][48]Professional career
2019 NBA draft and rookie season
The Chicago Bulls selected Coby White with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft on June 20, 2019, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.[18][1] White, a point guard from the University of North Carolina, signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Bulls shortly after, on July 1, 2019.[18] Pre-draft evaluations praised White's shooting prowess and quickness, positioning him as a dynamic combo guard capable of scoring at all three levels. Scouts highlighted his explosive first step, ability to pull up from deep, and spot-up shooting efficiency, with comparisons drawn to players like Devin Booker for his offensive versatility.[49][50] His college scoring average of 14.3 points per game underscored his appeal as a high-volume shooter transitioning to the pros.[49] White made his NBA debut in the 2019 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 16.0 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds over five games, though his three-point shooting struggled at 10.0% (3-for-30). Despite inconsistencies, he showed scoring flashes, including 23 points against the Washington Wizards and 17 against the Los Angeles Lakers, earning praise for his playmaking and transition play.[51][52] In the 2019–20 regular season, White served primarily as a sixth man off the bench for the Bulls, starting just one game while appearing in all 65 contests before the league's suspension. He averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 25.8 minutes per game, shooting 39.4% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range.[1] White's role evolved as a key perimeter scorer, often coming off the bench to provide spacing and quick scoring bursts, with notable performances including a 25-point debut against the Memphis Grizzlies.[53] The season was abruptly shortened on March 11, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting White to 65 of the scheduled 82 games and preventing further development opportunities in the resumed play-in format, as the Bulls finished 22–43 and out of playoff contention.[1]Development and challenges (2020–2023)
Following a promising rookie season, Coby White entered the 2020–21 NBA season with the Chicago Bulls as a key part of the backcourt, appearing in 69 of the league's 72 games and starting 54. He averaged 15.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game, showcasing improved playmaking and scoring efficiency, particularly in the second half of the season where he averaged 21.7 points over his final 20 games.[1] This period marked significant development in his transition from a volume scorer to a more efficient guard, though the Bulls finished with a 31–41 record and missed the playoffs.[6] White's progress was interrupted in the 2021 offseason when he suffered a left shoulder injury during basketball-related activities, requiring surgery on June 10 to repair the labrum. The procedure sidelined him for at least four months, causing him to miss the entire preseason and the first six games of the 2021–22 season as he focused on rehabilitation. To aid his recovery and refine his skills, White was assigned to the Bulls' G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, on November 9, 2021, where he played in limited action to regain rhythm and confidence before returning to the NBA roster later that month.[54] Upon his return, White rebounded in the 2021–22 season, appearing in 61 games with 17 starts and averaging 12.7 points, 2.9 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game, with notable improvements in his assist-to-turnover ratio. Despite early shooting struggles—hitting just 30.6% from three-point range amid ongoing recovery—he contributed to the Bulls' surprise 46–36 record to secure the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, making his playoff debut in a first-round loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. White averaged 9.4 points in five playoff games, providing scoring sparks but highlighting areas for consistency.[1][6] In the 2022–23 season, White solidified a consistent rotation role, playing in 74 games and starting 2, while averaging 9.7 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds. He demonstrated defensive growth, with 0.6 steals per game and improved on-ball pressure, which helped the Bulls secure another play-in spot despite a 40–42 record and a second consecutive early postseason exit to the Miami Heat. Amid these developments, White signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension with the Bulls on July 7, 2023, securing his future with the team through the 2025–26 season.[1][55] Throughout this period, White faced ongoing challenges, including shooting slumps that saw his three-point percentage dip below 32% in 2021–22 and turnovers averaging 2.7 per game early in his return, as well as the Bulls' repeated failures to advance deep in the playoffs, limiting team success and individual exposure. These setbacks underscored his growth from injury recovery to a reliable contributor, though questions about his defensive versatility persisted.[56]Breakout period and recent developments (2023–present)
In the 2023–24 season, Coby White achieved a career-high average of 19.1 points per game, marking a significant leap in his scoring efficiency and overall production as a starting guard for the Chicago Bulls.[57] He finished second in voting for the NBA Most Improved Player award, earning 305 points behind winner Tyrese Maxey's 319 in a close contest that highlighted White's transformation into a reliable offensive engine.[58] White played a pivotal role in the Bulls' play-in tournament, exploding for a career-high 42 points in a 131–116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on April 17, 2024, but falling short to the Miami Heat in the subsequent 7-8 matchup, missing the playoffs.[59] In the 2024–25 season, White continued his breakout, averaging 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game over 74 games, including a new career-high of 44 points against the Orlando Magic on March 6, 2025. The Bulls finished 39–43 and 9th in the Eastern Conference, again exiting via the play-in tournament.[1][60] Following the season, White focused on offseason training to refine his mental approach and physical conditioning, crediting Bulls head coach Billy Donovan for emphasizing a more disciplined mindset that contributed to his prior growth.[61] The Bulls bolstered team chemistry through coaching staff additions, including assistants Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig in May 2024, who introduced new emphases on defensive schemes and player development to build on the group's cohesion.[62] White's 2025–26 season has been delayed by a right calf strain sustained during preseason in October 2025, sidelining him through the opening games. As of November 16, 2025, White is listed as questionable for the game against the Utah Jazz.[9][63] Despite his absence, the Bulls started the 2025–26 season with a strong 5–0 record through late October, reaching 6–5 as of November 15, 2025, driven by strong contributions from Josh Giddey and improved team defense, though White's return is anticipated to elevate their scoring and backcourt versatility. Amid these developments, White has drawn trade rumors as he enters the final year of his three-year extension signed in 2023, with reports indicating he seeks a lucrative new deal averaging over $30 million annually in upcoming negotiations.[64] Post-2023, White has garnered All-Star buzz from coach Donovan, who believes his scoring prowess positions him for future selection, though he has not yet earned an invitation, and no international play has materialized beyond his U.S. college roots.[65]Career statistics
NBA regular season
Coby White made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls during the 2019–20 season, which was shortened and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, playing in 65 of 72 possible games.[1] His rookie year featured solid contributions as a scoring guard off the bench, averaging 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.8 steals per game, while shooting 39.4% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range.[1] Over the subsequent seasons, White transitioned into a starting role, showing steady progression in scoring efficiency and playmaking, particularly in three-point volume and accuracy. The following table summarizes White's regular season per-game averages across his NBA career to date:| Season | GP | MP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | 65 | 25.8 | 13.2 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 0.8 | .394 | .354 |
| 2020–21 | 69 | 31.2 | 15.1 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 0.6 | .416 | .359 |
| 2021–22 | 61 | 27.5 | 12.7 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 0.5 | .433 | .385 |
| 2022–23 | 74 | 23.4 | 9.7 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 0.7 | .443 | .372 |
| 2023–24 | 79 | 36.5 | 19.1 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 0.7 | .447 | .376 |
| 2024–25 | 74 | 33.1 | 20.4 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 0.9 | .453 | .370 |
| 2025–26* | 0 |
NBA playoffs
White made his NBA playoff debut during the 2022 first round against the Milwaukee Bucks, where the Chicago Bulls were eliminated in five games. Coming off the bench, he appeared in all five contests, averaging 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 19.6 minutes per game while shooting 33.3% from the field and 27.6% from three-point range.[67] In the 2023 postseason, White played a key role in the Bulls' play-in victory over the Toronto Raptors, scoring 21 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing 3 assists in 37 minutes. Advancing to the first round against the Miami Heat, he started all five games of the series, which Chicago lost 1-4, averaging 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 32.4 minutes per game, including a standout 29-point performance in Game 4 where he made 7 of 11 three-pointers—tying a franchise record for most threes in a playoff game by a Bulls player under 25. His series output included 21 made three-pointers, the most by a Bulls guard in a single playoff series since 2015.[6] The 2024 postseason saw the Bulls again enter via the play-in tournament but exit early with two losses. Against the New York Knicks in the East's 9-10 matchup, White scored 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting in 37 minutes. In the subsequent 7-8 game versus the Heat, he contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 35 minutes, shooting 6-of-15 from the field amid Chicago's 112-91 defeat, ending their postseason. These appearances highlighted White's growing efficiency in high-stakes scenarios, with a 37.5% three-point shooting rate across the two games despite increased defensive pressure.[68] Entering the 2025 play-in as the East's No. 9 seed, White logged 42 minutes and scored 17 points with 5 assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks, marking Chicago's third straight year qualifying for the postseason via the play-in but failing to advance further. Over his playoff career through 2025, White has appeared in 14 games (8 starts), averaging 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 29.8 minutes, with career totals of 174 points on 54.5% true shooting. His postseason three-point volume has established him as one of the Bulls' top young shooters in the playoffs, including the franchise mark for most threes by a player aged 23 or younger in a single series (21 in 2023).[7][1]College statistics
During his single season at the University of North Carolina in 2018–19, Coby White appeared in 35 games, all as starts, accumulating 562 points, 143 assists, and 123 rebounds.[18][69][4] White's per-game averages reflected his role as a scoring guard, posting 16.1 points on 5.4 field goals made out of 12.7 attempts (42.5% FG), including 2.4 three-pointers out of 6.7 attempts (35.4% 3P), and 3.0 free throws out of 3.8 attempts (79.8% FT). He also averaged 3.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 turnovers per game while playing 29.4 minutes.[4][70]| Season | G | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 35 | 1029 | 189 | 445 | .425 | 85 | 240 | .354 | 99 | 124 | .798 | 123 | 143 | 37 | 9 | 71 | 562 |