The Chicago Bulls have quietly featured one of the league's best three-point threats this season, especially over the last few weeks. No one in the NBA has a hotter hand from three-point territory in December than Coby White, and his numbers across the entire season also see him among the best in the Association. Has the 23-year-old warranted an invite to the league's most extensive showcase of deep-range threats, and would he accept the invite to boast his skills?
Sniping With The Best Of Them
Coby White's numbers speak for themselves. Compared to the rest of the league, he stands third in three-point shots made, eighth in attempts, and seventh in percentage among those who have attempted at least 100 three-pointers. Only trailing Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic, it's fair to say that White does not get nearly enough recognition for his abilities from beyond the arc.
Over the last month, he's set Chicago's franchise record of three or more three-point shots made in 12 consecutive games. Not only is the quantity impressive, but over that span, he's shooting an insane clip of 51.8%. On the year, he's shooting a career-high and team runner-up at 43.2%, although the top shooter, Alex Caruso, is attempting less than half of White's three-point shots. The quantity and quality of White's current hot streak are setting franchise records and putting the league's historic shooting marks in danger.
On The Fence Regarding Three-Point Contest
"That’s like the only time, really, during the season I get to see my family and all my people from back home,"..."For me, I kind of use that time to reset."
Coby White via Sam Smith
As he told Chicago Bulls' Sam Smith, White has not given much thought to the NBA's Three-Point Contest. He's often used the All-Star Weekend as a time to relax and reload for the playoff push, although the Bulls have only been successful in their playoff search in one of his five seasons. The decision has been easy without an invite to this point in his young career, but as a 23-year-old, he might jump at the opportunity to participate in the exclusive games. If nothing else, to put his name on the national stage and gain the attention he's deserved so far in 2023. Having an opportunity to become the fifth Chicago Bull to win the contest, White doubled down on his indifference toward participating in the event.
"Honestly, really, I don’t have aspirations for being in it. honestly, it’s over All-Star break and I’m a really big family guy. It’s supposedly the halfway mark, but really not the halfway mark of the season. It’s a time for me to reset, get away from the game a little bit, get away from everything and be with my family and my closest friends, and I always look forward to All-Star break for that reason."
Coby White via Sam Smith
It's hard to fault the young guard for his priorities over the short-lived break from the 82-game NBA regular season schedule, but if there's a time he'd be more willing to jump at the chance, being young might be the time to do it. Invites to the big stage will be passed out in January, and if he can continue his hot-shooting streak or maintain anything near it, he'll indeed be contacted to represent the Bulls over All-Star weekend.
It's not too far of a stretch to think if he can stay on the course he's been on since Zach LaVine's injury that he'd also be in the running for the All-Star Game itself, putting up staggering numbers in LaVine's absence.
Be sure to vote Coby White for All-Star Weekend when polls open on Tuesday, December 19th!
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