A troubling update from All-Star Weekend indicates that rising Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu may have injured his thumb during the Rising Stars game.
Ayo Dosunmu has been described as “a revelation for the Bulls since Jan. 1”, and the rookie has yet to disappoint. Even though Dosunmu was the lowest-drafted 2021 rookie in the Rising Stars event, he has impressed everyone watching—including teammates Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
🗣 THAT MAN IS A RISING STAR
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) February 19, 2022
(🎥 @chicagobulls)
pic.twitter.com/OloSRoquUg
But there is one troubling development that could spell trouble for the underrated Bulls rookie: his thumb was injured during the Rising Stars game, which Dosunmu and his team ultimately lost.
Ayo Dosunmu was favoring his right thumb after Rising Stars game. Said he was going for a chasedown block, banged it on the rim and it bent back
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) February 19, 2022
Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu may have endured thumb injury during Rising Stars game
If Dosunmu is injured, it’s a saddening development for a rookie that has stunned throughout his short time with the Bulls. In 2022, Dosunmu’s play has picked up with the Bulls, who were surprised that the rookie fell all the way to No. 38 in last summer’s draft.
It seemed like destiny that the Chicago native who played for Illinois would get drafted by his hometown team, but that’s exactly how things worked out.
On. Jan 24, Dosunmu made a shot from halfcourt against the Oklahoma City Thunder, prompting one person to dub him a “future MVP.”
Future MVP Ayo Dosunmo from halfcourtpic.twitter.com/gDzplUKZpV
— Dimers.com (@DimersCom) January 25, 2022
Even back in 2020 as a sophomore, Dosunmu was attracting attention as a potential sleeper in the 2020 NBA Draft. Dosunmu was eventually drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the No. 38 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Remember the name, Ayo Dosunmo. Chose to return to Illinois for his sophomore season and now he’s making a name for himself.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) January 25, 2020
Ayo is an intriguing prospect and will be a sleeper in the 2020 NBA Draft. Can score from anywhere and shows up in BIG moments. pic.twitter.com/3UBgXIjK3l
What makes Dosunmu even more promising is his ability to bounce back from mistakes, something that Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has commended about his mindset.
Billy Donovan on rookie Ayo Dosunmo after mistakes.
— PGC Basketball (@PGCbasketball) February 4, 2022
“After a mistake he gets even more detailed.”
In times of pressure we don’t rise to the occasion, we fall upon our habits. Especially mentally.
pic.twitter.com/qInBO9N4Xo
Great find @JoeyBurton
Hopefully, Dosunmu is good to go after All-Star Weekend or soon thereafter, as the Bulls could certainly use his talents come playoff season.