To follow your progress curves, Ayo Dosunmu uses a simple tool: a journal. “ I wrote down where I was last year because I knew I wasn't the player I wanted to be. And I understood that to improve, I would need a lot of time and work. So I tried to write it all down so I could look back a year and say, 'This is where I was.' », explains the leader of the Bulls at The Athletic.
Its curve is today higher than ever. This night against the Wizards' weak defense, he scored a career record with 34 points (14/22 on shots including 4/7 from distance), 9 assists and 3 rebounds. A welcome performance as the Bulls were once again without one of their main gunners, Coby White.
“ I'm going to do everything I can to elevate us, give us a chance to win, that's what I'm focused on “, says the 24-year-old thinking about the absence of his teammate.
A performance linked to the context, but not only that. Building on his best career season, Ayo Dosunmu is showing definite progress in attack. Author of his first career outing with 30 points or more, he has signed four games with 20 points or more in his last 15 outings. Since the All-Star Game, he has averaged 16 points.
Nearly 40% at 3-points over the season
His coach Billy Donovanwho asks him to remain aggressive at all times, puts this rising average down to his summer work and sees room for possible improvement in his game.
“ It's very difficult to play to his strengths, which for him are playing in transition, attacking the racket, if you're not a threat in shooting. Compared to how teams defended him in the pick-and-roll last year, he wasn't consistent enough and sometimes reluctant to take some of those shots. He worked on this. The area he can improve on is scoring off the dribble in different areas of the court. », Analyzes his coach.
The fact remains that his player, who is approaching 40% 3-point success, has already gained consistency in the 'catch-and-shoot'. At the same time, Nikola Vucevic notices better decision-making and more patience on the pick-and-roll. “ We all know he has quickness and speed. He beats a lot of guys off the dribble. But sometimes when the defense is up […], you're going to have to take your time and read the game », notes the pivot (29 points and 13 rebounds) who benefited from several of his passes last night.
An observation confirmed by Ayo Dosunmu himself: “ If I have a chance, I'll take the shot. If not, I will transmit […] I never want to set a goal. I just work hard, and no matter what happens, if I go on the court and finish with 15 points and 10 assists, that's fine with me. If I score 34 points, that's fine too. »
| Ayo Dosunmu | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 77 | 27 | 52.0 | 37.6 | 67.9 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 8.8 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 80 | 26 | 49.3 | 31.2 | 80.5 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 8.6 |
| 2023-24 | CHI | 65 | 28 | 48.2 | 38.9 | 79.0 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 10.9 |
| Total | 222 | 27 | 49.8 | 36.2 | 75.9 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 9.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
