Bulls Coach Names Starting Point Guard In Place of Lonzo Ball

With Lonzo Ball undergoing yet another surgery on his knee, Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has officially named his full-time starting point guard to open the season. 

Billy Donovan says Ayo Dosunmu will be the Bulls' starting point guard in the regular season.

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) October 12, 2022

As we proposed last week, Ayo Dosunmu will get the nod to start at the point for the Bulls. Coming off a fine rookie season in which he actually started 40 games during Ball's lengthy absence, Dosunmu started all four preseason games this month, and was certainly trending toward getting the gig. Other options included Coby White, Alex Caruso and Goran Dragic. 

But the Chicago born-and-bred Dosunmu was a logical choice, with all his time logged with the starting unit last season already. 

"He's basically going to start there for us," Donovan said after the Bulls final preseason game Tuesday night. "I feel very comfortable with him. I think with Goran, with where he is at this stage and point in his career, there is a huge impact he can make on our team but Ayo right now is going to be the guy back there for us, and I think he's done a really good job this training camp and preseason games."

This preseason, the 22-year-old Dosunmu has averaged 10.2 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field and 55% from three-point range (6 of 11). 

Ball isn't expected to return until at least sometime in the new year. 

Photo: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports