Ayo may play his way right into the Rookie game and get to experience All-Star weekend. How cool would that be.
Illini in the NBA
- Status
haasi
- New York
Yessir!Cheer him on for all of us here at IL, please. Wear your Illini orange and yell, “-L-L!” I bet Ayo acknowledges you!
I was trying to figure out how this worked these days and couldn't with a brief look. Is it only rookies or are they doing sophs too?
I had not followed the Bulls since MJ. Started watching to follow Ayo. Priority to catch every game. And they play 3 to 4 times per week. Something to really look forward to. They play a fun game to watch. And Ayo seems to bring a spark to their game when he is in.
42 minutes. 67% field goal percentage. 50% 3-point percentage. 6 boards. 8 assists.
One day soon, Ayo will be THE face of the Chicago Bulls. (For some of us, he is already).
Bless you on your journey young man...
NBA rookie rankings: Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley in early race at the top
Six weeks into the season, there’s a two-way race for the top spot between Toronto Raptors small forward Scottie Barnes and Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley.
Ayo makes honorable mention for best rookies in the 2021 season so far. Top 10 listed with summary and 3 honorable mention…so he is essentially the 13th best rookie so far if this article was the measuring stick.
I would say that’s pretty fair given his lack of playing time early and that he doesn’t score a ton of points…yet
Coincidence? Perhaps.
The key question is what is the record in close games. Rookies generally get more minutes in blow outs. For bad teams, that means losses. For good teams, that means wins.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
If you've watched Ayo play for the Bulls recently, you would know he isn't playing garbage time minutes.
Its rising stars, if nba2k22 knows they are doing?, melo ball is in it on that game
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
If Coby White wasn't deemed expendable prior to getting Covid, he almost definitely is now. Obviously, contract status plays a big role here. The Bulls need a big (with Williams going down) and White is their best chip. That chip becomes a lot more valuable if White is effective, so he's going to get tick when he's back. But make no bones about it: Ayo is ultimately taking his spot.
side note: how huge is the man crush Donovan has on Ayo?
side note: how huge is the man crush Donovan has on Ayo?
That's it. Rising Stars Challenge.
It is Team World vs. Team USA and made up of both Rookies and Sophs.
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
Based on his comments all season, its on par with the fabled Matt Damon/Ben Affleck man crush. Hell, maybe even Rat Pack level!
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
NBA rookie rankings: Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley in early race at the top
Six weeks into the season, there’s a two-way race for the top spot between Toronto Raptors small forward Scottie Barnes and Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley.sports.yahoo.com
Ayo makes honorable mention for best rookies in the 2021 season so far. Top 10 listed with summary and 3 honorable mention…so he is essentially the 13th best rookie so far if this article was the measuring stick.
I would say that’s pretty fair given his lack of playing time early and that he doesn’t score a ton of points…yet
Another one taking notice of Ayo. Second Round Picks Turning Heads So Far
Listen my fellow Illini brethren.
Crowley is a HACK and we shouldn't giving him any views/likes/props.
That being said, Ayo is who we thought he was.
more accolades and even higher on the CBS rookie report, turning heads, I love it
www.cbssports.com
NBA Rookie Rankings: Cade Cunningham puts shooting slump behind him; Scottie Barnes continues to impress
The No. 1 overall pick had his most efficient week of the season thus far
www.cbssports.com
Agreed with the bolded. I think Donovan coming from the college ranks as a coach into the NBA I think has something to do with this in my opinion. Also, I believe Donovan respects and appreciates what Ayo is doing specifically around wanting to put in the work (asking for feedback from coaches and teammates), striving to contribute however and for whatever the team needs (defense, spark, tempo, etc), etc, etc, etc.
Note, I am a little bias towards Donovan because I did spend some years as an undergrad at the University of Florida when Donovan was the coach.
I've always liked him as a coach and was really excited when he joined the Bulls.FYI, great little clip of a few highlights from Ayo's first start this week.
https://streamable.com/g5hzxc
https://streamable.com/g5hzxc
It shouldn't be a bias for you....everyone who follows basketball should know Donovan is a heck of a coach and was a home run of a hire for the Bulls. To go from Jim Boylen to Donovan might even be a bigger step up than John Groce to Brad Underwood, though I suppose that's 1A to 1B and open to a good debate towards which of the two hires was a bigger step up. Been so great to see the relationship between Donovan and Ayo take off like it has.Agreed with the bolded. I think Donovan coming from the college ranks as a coach into the NBA I think has something to do with this in my opinion. Also, I believe Donovan respects and appreciates what Ayo is doing specifically around wanting to put in the work (asking for feedback from coaches and teammates), striving to contribute however and for whatever the team needs (defense, spark, tempo, etc), etc, etc, etc.
Note, I am a little bias towards Donovan because I did spend some years as an undergrad at the University of Florida when Donovan was the coach.
We all hated how the Beloved quickly washed out of the Madness last season. It was shocking and disappointing. BUT...
It was a HUGE blessing in disguise. Ayo didn't have his best game and his draft stock slid as a result. And that fact is what allowed, 'YOUR CHICAGO BULLLLS!' to be able to grab him.
And that will bear long-term benefits for both Ayo, the Bulls franchise, and both as an ongoing National advertisement for Illini Basketball and all the young Chicago area ball talent of the future who will sit up and take notice of the benefits of staying home.
Maybe I forgot it, but how did somebody it come up with this call when he had his mask?
Like to see him trade the white headband to a metallic silver one.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
There's so much more to the equation than age/experience, that it's quasi-ridiculous to just cite age.
- Status