Coby White has grown into one of the Chicago Bulls’ most important players, but his journey to the NBA wasn’t just about basketball. The 25-year-old guard has opened up about how the game kept him on the right path during his teenage years, when the streets of North Carolina could have easily led him astray.
White recently shared how his story goes beyond stats and highlights, and detailed his choices, family, and the life-changing impact of the sport he loves.
Coby White Reflects on how Basketball Became a Lifeline for Him
Growing up in North Carolina, White faced challenges that extended far beyond the basketball court. Surrounded by peers who were beginning to make dangerous choices, he had to navigate pressures that many teens never face.
At a critical age, his decisions would determine whether he stayed on the path to basketball success or risked a very different life. Speaking to Andscape, White revealed how basketball became a lifeline during this critical time in his life.
“I always say that basketball saved my life,” he said. He recounted how, around the age of 13 or 14, many of his peers began drifting into gangs and dangerous situations. “I always thank my mom, my dad, my brother and my sister because they raised me the right way.”
“I remember getting asked to join the gang and [if I] wanted to be a part of that. And I knew, first off, that my dad would – excuse my language – would kick my a** if I ever did anything like that. But I also knew that if I was to get in trouble, I couldn’t play the game that I love.”
These lessons, combined with a relentless work ethic, helped White rise from a standout at North Carolina to the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. White’s choices at that pivotal moment defined his path.
“If I would’ve made any other decision, my life could have been totally different. I made that split-second decision, and I made the right decision that kind of saved me from going down the path where a lot of my peers and friends and homies that I grew up with went down,” he continued.
Coby White says basketball saved his life:
“I remember while growing up the people I was hanging around with when I got to about 14, 13 started getting involved with gangs and stuff like that.”
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White’s journey hasn’t been entirely smooth; he spent parts of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons in a reserve role. But the guard returned to the starting lineup in 2023-24 and immediately began playing the best basketball of his career, culminating in a career-high 19.1 points per game last season.
His overall production also improved. Last season, he shot a career-best 43.5% from the field, along with 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
How White is Giving Back to the Community and Leading On and Off the Court?
White’s personal journey hasn’t just shaped his career but also inspired him to help others. He recently re-launched the Coby White Family Foundation, focusing on holistic mental health support, equitable opportunities, and creative empowerment for Black and Brown youth. The foundation primarily targets underprivileged communities in Chicago and White’s native North Carolina.
“I feel like I can continue to impact the youth. It starts with showing them what the rights and the wrongs are and that violence ain’t ever the answer. There’s more to life than gang violence, more to life than being in a gang, more to life than what they have seen so far,” White said.
White has become a critical piece of the Bulls’ success on the court. He led the team in scoring in 14 of the final 25 games last season. He finished second behind Zach LaVine with 19.1 points per game. Over his six seasons in Chicago, he has averaged 15.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, proving himself ready to take on a more prominent role under head coach Billy Donovan’s system.
For White, the lessons from his past continue to fuel his present. His scoring ability, improved transition play, and creative finishing make him an ideal fit in the Bulls’ timeline.
Likewise, his commitment to mentoring youth shows that his impact extends beyond the hardwood. For Coby White, basketball is a lifeline and a way to lift up the next generation.
