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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michael Mulford

Zach LaVine praises Ayo Dosunmu’s defense and leadership

The Chicago Bulls second-year guard Ayo Dosunmu has taken his starting opportunity so far this season and run with it.

In Lonzo Ball’s absence, second-year guard Ayo Dosunmu has stepped into the starting lineup, averaging 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 52.9% shooting from the floor and 42.9% from 3-point range.

Dosunmu has been steady on both ends for Billy Donovan and the Bulls — specifically his endless effort on the defensive end. In Tuesday’s victory against the Brooklyn Nets, Dosunmu was the primary defender on Nets’ Kyrie Irving, helping force Irving to shoot just 2-of-12 from the field.

Bulls’ Zach LaVine praised the second-year guard on his ability to ‘step up to the challenge’.

“He steps up to the challenge all the time,” LaVine said of Dosunmu after Tuesday’s win. “Ayo even in his second year is a vocal leader. He helps pick up our energy, offensively, defensively, just the way he carries himself. In the fourth quarter, he came up with some giant steals.”

While Ball remains out for the foreseeable future, the importance of Dosunmu’s growth as a leader on both ends of the floor will be important for Chicago’s playoff chances this season.

Stay tuned to Bulls Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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