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Ayo Dosunmu shows full skill set in debut for the Chicago Bulls

By Rees Woodcock

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on February 02, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on February 02, 2021 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Ayo Dosunmu’s first NBA Summer League game is now in the books, and I would say the Chicago Bulls’ lone draft pick did pretty well in his debut.

The Bulls didn’t have much draft capital entering the 2021 NBA Draft. They ended up with just one pick, which was No. 38 overall. That single pick was used on Ayo, and it looks like it was a wise choice as the former Illinois Fighting Illini star looked good in his first appearance for the franchise.

On Monday, Chicago took on the New Orleans Pelicans summer league squad. Despite falling short by a score of 94-77, Ayo was able to display a little bit of every one of his skills with a stat line of 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

Ayo getting minutes is the most important thing for the Chicago Bulls.

I mentioned the state line for Ayo above, but that doesn’t do much for me as far as development goes. I know the kid can play basketball. What I am most excited about is the fact Ayo received 26 minutes and 41 seconds in his first summer league game.

Ayo getting a ton of minutes is probably the best thing for him right now. He needs to get down the speed and the physicality of the game. After he accomplishes that, Ayo can compete with anyone in the summer league and should be able to see minutes with the Bulls this season.

Honestly, I am not even worried about Ayo going 2-of-8 from the field and 0-of-1 from three-point range. Everyone in the country knows he can shoot the ball. Ayo is still getting adjusted to everything, so his shots will eventually start falling.

Next. Giorgi Bezhanishvili makes debut in the Denver Nuggets summer league. dark

Overall, I would say this was a solid and successful start for Ayo in the NBA. Getting him minutes for the Bulls’ summer league squad is the best thing for his career right now. Ayo received the third-most minutes in the game. Let’s see that number continue to stay high as this kid makes his journey through The Association.

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