CLEVELAND — Ayo Dosunmu never needed to be told he was more than the 38th-best player in the 2021 NBA Draft. He said as much hours after Chicago Bulls plucked him with the eighth selection of the second round.
“I know I’m a first round talent,” Dosunmu told reporters on draft night, later adding: “My friends and family know where my talent is. They know there wasn’t 37 people better than me in the draft.”
If it wasn’t already obvious, the NBA confirmed that by tabbing Dosunmu as one of 12 first-years in All-Star weekend’s Rising Stars challenge.
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And while Dosunmu’s team — coached by Gary Payton — was eliminated in the first round of the exhibition's newly-minted tournament format, the Bulls’ rookie belonged, posting five points, two assists and a steal.
He also jammed his right thumb on one of the game’s final plays, a nod to the competitive nature of the contest after each team hit the 40-mark on their way to the target score of 50. Jae'Sean Tate submitted the dagger — a twisting layup — to put Team (Rick) Barry ahead for good, 50-48.
"Last 10 points we had fun," Dosunmu said. "The last possessions, it was cool."
As for the finger?
NBA
"I tried to chase down a block, I hit it on the rim. It bent back," he said, indicating he'd get it looked at by a trainer.
Regardless of the result, being invited to All-Star weekend to participate in the exhibition is a feather in the cap for any rook. Dosunmu was honored to receive the recognition — and is sticking around to reciprocate DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine's courtside support on Saturday and Sunday.
But in the same breath, he stressed that the distinction was more passing validation than ultimate culmination. His story is far from finished.
“It feels good to be recognized,” he said. “But also I understand that there’s more work to do. This is just a stepping stone.
“I’m excited, I’m humbled to be here, and I’m thankful. But I also understand there’s work to be done. I still have that chip on my shoulder. And I’m excited to keep working.”
That’s the level-headed, workmanlike approach that has gotten Dosunmu this far — in the NBA, alone, from an end-of-bench prospect to a stopgap starting point guard trusted vehemently by his coaches and teammates, and widely respected by his peers.
All in 54 games. One can only imagine what's ahead.