Chicago Bulls: Peers vote Coby White a true playmaker in rookie survey

The annual rookie survey has been released for the 2019 class, and Chicago Bulls point guard Coby White should feel ecstatic about the results.

When the Chicago Bulls drafted Coby White seventh overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, they knew what they were getting. White is a high-character, hard-working player who fits exactly what head coach Jim Boylen wants to see out of his core.

Turns out, White’s fellow rookies feel the same way about his talents.

Each year, the rookie class is polled with several questions about their peers. The questions range from immediate implications to career-long impact. The North Carolina product should be quite pleased with how his fellow rookies feel about him, that’s for sure.

White ended up receiving votes in an impressive five categories.

The most impressive of them, in my opinion, is the category of playmaking. White finished 3rd in his class (behind Ja Morant and Darius Garland) under the question, “Which rookie is the best playmaker?”

This is the reason Chicago drafted White. Above all else, the team has lacked a real playmaker at the point guard position for a while now. The Bulls have scorers and slashers. The starting five features Zach LaVine, Otto Porter and Lauri Markkanen, who are all scorers by nature.

The Bulls have been missing someone who can run point with a “floor general” mentality, and that’s what they get in White. He is someone who can not only run an offense and make others better, but create for himself as well. He’s a playmaker.

White also tied for 4th amongst his class (with Zion Williamson) under the question, “Which rookie will have the best career?”

That’s also key, here. Not only do the Bulls need a playmaker at point guard — they need one for the long-term. Certainly, I could understand if Tomas Satoransky earns the starting role for this year. But, with White, the Bulls see a long-term solution.

There were another three categories where White received votes. He finished with the second-highest percentage in terms of being a Draft Day steal, behind Bol Bol and Kevin Porter.

White also received votes for “Who will be the 2019-2020 Kia Rookie of the Year?” and “Which rookie is the best defender?”

Overall, the Bulls rookie dominated the polls. He and fellow point guard Carsen Edwards tied for the most categories in which they received votes (five). Things haven’t been sunshine and rainbows for the Bulls over the last few seasons, but White’s respect from his peers is one more reason for fans to be hopeful going into the future.