Coby White leads the way, receives votes in 5 categories of annual NBA Rookie Survey

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The NBA's annual Rookie Survey was released on Monday, and there's a whole lot of Coby White love sprinkled throughout it. As John Schuhmann pointed out in his write-up, White and Celtics point guard Carsen Edwards tied for the lead by receiving votes in a survey-high five different categories.

Here's what rookies think of White's game.

Who will be the 2019-20 Kia Rookie of the Year?

1. Zion Williamson, Pelicans (35%)
2. Ja Morant, Grizzlies (27%)
3. R.J. Barrett, Knicks/Cam Reddish, Hawks (5% each)

Also receiving votes: Coby White, Bulls; 9 others

Thoughts: One aspect White has working in his favor is his position: Beginning with Kyrie Irving in 2012, six of the last eight Rookies of the Year have been point guards. Realistically, White's path to Rookie of the Year consideration is bumpy. The Bulls gave Tomas Satoransky $30 million to eat up a bulk of the point-guard minutes, and Kris Dunn is still on the roster battling for minutes with White. The rook's best path to RoY consideration would be carving out a Sixth Man role, similar to what Ben Gordon did in 2004.

Which rookie will have the best career?

1. Cam Reddish, Hawks (19%)
2. Ja Morant, Grizzlies (16%)
3. De'Andre Hunter, Hawks (11%)
4. Coby White, Bulls (5%)
4. Zion Williamson, Pelicans (5%)
4. Jaxson Hayes, Pelicans (5%)
4. R.J. Barrett, Knicks (5%)

Others receiving votes: 12 others

Thoughts: OK then. White received the same number of votes in this category as Zion Williamson, who has superstar written all over him. This one is basically impossible to predict, but it's feasible that White could wind up being the best player from his class. He was the 7th overall pick, after all. Also, remember that Wendell Carter Jr. received the most votes in this category a year ago. The Bulls are well represented.

Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was drafted?

1. Bol Bol, Nuggets (19%)
1. Kevin Porter, Cavs (19%)
3. Coby White, Bulls (5%)
3. Nassir Litte/Isaiah Roby/Grant Williams/Carsen Edwards (5%)

Others receiving votes: 12 others

Thoughts: It was interesting to see White's name on this list. It's tough to make an argument that White should have gone in front of any of the six players taken before him in June. If anything, the Bulls' other rookie is feeling like a steal where he was drafted. Daniel Gafford had a mighty impressive Summer League as the No. 41 overall pick. Fun fact: The only Bulls rookie to ever top this category was Erik Murphy in 2013. That didn't work out so well.

Which rookie is the best defender?

1. Matisse Thybulle, Sixers (37%)
2. De'Andre Hunter, Hawks (29%)
3. Brandon Clarke/Jaxson Hayes/Nassir Litte (8%)

Others receiving votes: Coby White, Bulls; 3 others

Thoughts: Another interesting inclusion for White, who certainly has the speed and size to be a plus defender. His wing span isn't anything to write home about but White should be able to keep up with the league average defense at the position. In such a guard-heavy league, simply keeping your counterpart to his season average is usually a plus. White should, at the very least, be able to do just that.

Which rookie is the best playmaker?

1. Ja Morant, Grizzlies (40%)
2. Darius Garland, Cavs (15%)
3. Coby White, Bulls (10%)
3. Ty Jerome, Cavs (10%)
5. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Pelicans (8%)

Others receiving votes: 4 others

Thoughts: Point guards dominated this category, and for good reason. White isn't a natural point guard but he's a blur in transition and looked pretty comfortable in Summer League working pick-and-roll action. The Bulls' rookie is going to have more than a handful of "wow" moments as a playmaker, so he's deserving of this spot on the list.

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