Coby White

Alec Jacoby, known more widely as “Coby” White, came into this world on February 16, 2000, in North Carolina. His mother worked in the insurance industry, and his father, who also dipped his toes into college basketball, worked in a factory. From high school to college to professional circles, Coby made an indelible mark in every basketball avenue he traversed.

Coby’s journey into basketball began at the Greenfield School in Wilson, North Carolina, where he shone as a formidable opponent and a darling of the crowd. Over his four-year high school career, Coby amassed a staggering 3,573 points, usurping the previous holder JamesOn Curry and becoming the all-time leading scorer in North Carolina high school basketball history.

In 2018, he garnered numerous awards, including North Carolina Mr. Basketball, USA Today’s North Carolina Player of the Year, and a selection for the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Game. On the global front, Coby donned the USA jersey at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship in Canada, where he spearheaded his committee to a gold medal, earning all-tournament honors for his stellar performance.

When the time came to advance his basketball prowess even further, his dedication to home led him to sign on for North Carolina University, where he began as a point guard in November 2018. Standing tall at six feet four inches, Coby’s skill-filled performances soon started shattering records, from surpassing Michael Jordan in freshman scoring to breaking a North Carolina record for three-point shooting during his college season.

After a single season at North Carolina, his talent and skill could no longer be confined to college leagues. The Chicago Bulls took notice and consequently, Coby’s name was called with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, marking the first player from North Carolina to be drafted in the first round by the Bulls since the legendary Michael Jordan.

His NBA journey kicked off against the Charlotte Hornets, where his debut performance of seventeen points and seven assists earned him a unique distinction of being the first player born in the 2000s to play in the NBA. A mere two years later, Coby underwent left shoulder surgery but returned to the court even stronger.

In February 2021, he set a Bulls franchise record with teammate Zach LaVine. Each made eight shots from behind the arc in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans. He also became the fastest player in franchise history to make 500 career three-point baskets. His performance and dedication to the Bulls were rewarded in 2023 with a three-year contract extension cementing his place on the team for the foreseeable future. Despite his professional achievements, his strong connection to his roots is evident. This connection proves itself in his close relationship with basketball player Chris Paul and his association with Paul’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) program, Team CP3.

Off the court, Coby White is a loving son and protective brother. He has managed to strike a balance between his personal and professional life despite the pressure of professional sports. His perseverance, talent, and commitment make him not only an unrivaled athlete but also a role model for all young athletes looking to break into professional sports. No matter where his career takes him, Coby White’s legacy in North Carolina and the NBA is undeniable.