Coby White, the Chicago Bulls’ dynamic guard, has emerged as one of the NBA’s breakout stars, averaging 20.4 points per game in the 2024-25 season. From his roots in North Carolina to his standout days with the Tar Heels and his eventual rise to a key role with the Bulls, White’s journey to NBA stardom has been anything but linear. However, a pivotal moment in his youth nearly derailed his path to the league—a moment he describes as a life-altering decision that could have changed everything.
A Humble Beginning in North Carolina
Growing up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Coby White was surrounded by love, support, and basketball. The sport was more than a game for him; it was a lifeline. Raised by his parents alongside his brother and sister, White was instilled with strong values and a sense of discipline. But as he entered his teenage years, the environment around him began to shift. Friends and peers he grew up with started gravitating toward dangerous influences, including gang activity.
In a recent sit-down with Andscape’s Marc Spears, White opened up about the critical moment that could have altered the course of his life. At just 13 or 14 years old, he faced a choice that many young people in his community encountered: an invitation to join a gang. “I remember getting asked to join the gang and [if I] wanted to be a part of that,” White recalled. “And I knew, first off, that my dad would kick my (expletive) if I ever did anything like that.”
The “Unacceptable” Moment
White described the moment as a split-second decision, one that carried immense weight. The pressure to conform was real, but so was his awareness of the consequences. “I also knew that if I was to get in trouble, I couldn’t play the game that I love,” he told Spears. “If I would’ve made any other decision, my life could have been totally different.” Choosing to walk away from that path wasn’t just about avoiding trouble—it was about protecting his passion for basketball and the future he envisioned.
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White credits his family for keeping him grounded. “I always say that basketball saved my life,” he said. “I thank my mom, my dad, my brother, and my sister because they raised me the right way.” That decision to say no to the gang was, in White’s words, the “unacceptable” moment he refused to let define him. Instead, he chose the path of discipline, hard work, and basketball—a choice that would lead him to the University of North Carolina and, eventually, the NBA.
A Rocky Start in the NBA
Drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2019, White entered the league with high expectations. His sophomore season in 2020-21 showed promise, as he started 54 games and averaged 15.1 points per game. However, the following two seasons were challenging. Relegated to a reserve role, White’s scoring dipped to a low of 9.7 points per game in 2022-23, raising questions about his fit with the Bulls and his long-term potential.
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Despite the setbacks, White never lost faith. His return to the starting lineup in 2023-24 marked a turning point. He posted a then-career-high 19.7 points per game, showcasing his explosive scoring ability and earning the trust of the Bulls’ coaching staff. The 2024-25 season solidified his status as a cornerstone for Chicago, with White averaging 20.4 points per game and drawing attention as a valuable trade asset—though the Bulls remain committed to keeping him.
A Pivotal Year Ahead
As White heads into the 2025-26 season, he faces a defining moment in his career. Set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, the 25-year-old guard is poised to prove he’s more than a scorer—he’s a leader and a cornerstone for the Bulls’ future. Reflecting on his journey, White remains grateful for the choices that brought him here. “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 said.
White’s story is a testament to resilience, family, and the power of a single decision. From a young boy in North Carolina facing a crossroads to a rising NBA star, Coby White’s career is a reminder that sometimes, the moments that could break you are the ones that make you.