Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: Coby White’s real name isn’t Coby

By Blake Cockrum

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 09: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 9, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 09: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 9, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Fans are surprised to find out that former UNC basketball star Coby White’s real name isn’t Coby

Last week, former UNC point guard Coby White gave fans a scare when he tricked them into thinking that he shaved his head bald using a phony SnapChat filter that he shared on Instagram. But that’s nothing compared our latest revelation about White, something that’s had us all fooled much longer than the spoof picture of his shaved head did.

White’s real name, as it turns out, isn’t Coby. The second-year Chicago Bulls standout confirmed the news via Twitter on Monday afternoon. He was actually born Alec Jacoby White, but removed the “Ja” from his middle name and began going by Coby some time ago.

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No, seriously; it’s true. We’re just as surprised as you are. Not only because we’ve gotten so comfortable knowing him as Coby, but also in the fact that he’s been able to keep it under wraps for this long.

Regardless of his name, or his hairstyle, White’s one season in Chapel Hill was as impactful as any one-and-done Tar Heel’s has ever been. Between his production on the court, and his likability off of it, he quickly became a fan favorite. He remains that way today, as his Carolina blue-clad fans still faithfully follow him despite the fact that he’s been gone longer than he was even on campus.

Basketball fans in Chicago have latched onto him similarly, as the 2020 second team All-Rookie selection impressed in year one with the Bulls. Although he started just one game as a rookie, the former lottery pick was a spark off the Chicago bench, and one of the only real highlights on a team that went just 22-43 under Jim Boylen before the season was cut short.

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Keeping It Heel will continue to follow Coby — or Alec — next season in hopes that he takes his rightful place in the Bulls’ starting lineup, and makes the next step to becoming an NBA star.

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