Ayo Dosunmu is quickly emerging as the centerpiece of the Chicago Bulls’ rebuilding efforts, and his stellar play through the first three games of the 2025-26 NBA season is sending a clear message: the future of the franchise may rest on his shoulders.
The 6-foot-1 guard led Chicago with 21 points in a thrilling 128-123 win over the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center on Monday, shooting 7-for-10 from the field, including four 3-pointers. Dosunmu’s explosive performance was part of a team-wide effort that saw eight Bulls players finish in double figures, including double-doubles from Josh Giddey (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Nikola Vučević (17 points, 17 rebounds).
“This team is about strength in numbers,” Dosunmu said after the game. “We laid our groundwork down for what we want to be as an organization. The next step is taking it higher.”
Dosunmu has come a long way since his rookie season in 2021-22, when he was learning from veterans like Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, and Lonzo Ball. That team dominated early in the Eastern Conference before injuries derailed the season. Now, Dosunmu is one of only four players from that roster remaining — alongside Vučević, Patrick Williams, and Coby White, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury.
Despite the absence of key players, Dosunmu has embraced the challenge. His journey has not been without adversity: a fractured left shoulder last season required surgery and forced him to miss significant time, but he rebounded to set career bests in points (12.3), rebounds (3.5), and assists (4.5). His three-point shooting, initially a weak spot, has improved markedly through offseason work.
“I had a lot of time to sit and think during rehab,” Dosunmu explained. “I focused on spacing the floor, balancing my game, and attacking when the opportunity presents itself.”
Coach Billy Donovan has praised Dosunmu’s unwavering confidence and ability to elevate his game under pressure. “He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well last year, but Ayo has unbelievable internal belief. That’s what separates good players from great ones,” Donovan said.
Dosunmu’s versatility has been on full display. He can control the pace of the second unit, provide steady defense, and step into offensive roles whenever needed. In Saturday’s 110-98 win in Orlando, Dosunmu nailed three fourth-quarter 3-pointers, including two in the final minutes, sealing the victory. On Monday against Atlanta, he continued his hot shooting with four triples.
With White out for potentially three more weeks, Dosunmu’s opportunity to carry more offensive responsibility has arrived. While he humbly insists he’s “just playing his game,” the young guard is quietly proving he can handle the spotlight.
Chicago’s front office, led by EVP Artūras Karnišovas, had only planned minor offseason adjustments, confident in the team’s core. Dosunmu’s emergence as a leader and consistent scorer has validated that strategy, even as the team navigates the early-season absence of White and the legacy gap left by LaVine.
As the Bulls continue their undefeated start, the league is beginning to notice. Dosunmu’s combination of skill, poise, and resilience makes him not only a key piece of Chicago’s rebuild but also a potential star capable of leading the team to playoff relevance.
“If we keep playing this way and building on it, we can reach higher,” Dosunmu said. “That’s the goal — to keep climbing and show what we’re capable of as a team.”
The Bulls are learning on the fly, but with Dosunmu at the helm, fans have reason to believe this could be the season Chicago begins its journey back to the top.
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