Tar Heels in NBA: Coby White scorches NOLA for 30 points in record game

Coby White was one of a handful of Tar Heels in NBA action on Wednesday night, and he shined with 30 points and eight three-pointers in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Coby White has definitely had his ups and downs to begin the 2020-21 season, but the second-year Chicago Bulls point guard has shown flashes that remind us just how much potential he has in the NBA, particularly from an offensive standpoint. And when you consider that White is still just 20 years of age, it’s difficult to argue that the needle isn’t pointing sharply upward for him.

The former Tar Heel one-and-done had another terrific game on Wednesday night when he scored 30 points on a 10-for-20 shooting performance that included eight made three-pointers at a 47.1 percent clip. White and Chicago shooting guard Zach LaVine (46 points, 9 three-pointers) became the first teammates in NBA history to connect on eight or more three-pointers in the same game. White added a team-high seven assists and two rebounds in the Bulls’ 129-116 victory over the Pelicans.

It was White’s first game scoring more than 16 points in the month of February, and his first 30-point performance since putting a 36-piece on the Sacramento Kings the first week of January. It was also his first game with over six assists since dishing out eight dimes against the Charlotte Hornets on January 22. And even though his scoring is down slightly from the month of January, he’s averaging fewer turnovers than he did in either of the season’s first two months.

For the season, he’s now averaging 15.5 points, 5.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. He’s shooting just 40.3 percent overall, but over 36 percent from beyond the three-point line. He’s also carrying a 2.25 assist-to-turnover ratio through his first 24 games of the season — all of which he has been in the starting lineup.

For all the latest on Coby White and other Tar Heels in NBA action this season, check back with Keeping It Heel.