Through the first half of the season, Ayo Dosunmu has quietly - and now undeniably - emerged as one of the Chicago Bulls’ most impactful players. That might catch some fans off guard, but the numbers and the eye test are telling the same story: Dosunmu is playing the best basketball of his young career, and he's doing it on both ends of the floor.
Offense: Efficiency Meets Versatility
Let’s start with the offensive side, where Dosunmu has taken a leap that few saw coming. While he's always had a knack for getting downhill with his speed and length, this season he’s added a new dimension to his game: elite-level three-point shooting.
Yes, his finishing at the rim has dipped a bit in terms of pure field goal percentage - but that’s hardly slowed him down. According to Cleaning The Glass, nearly half (48%) of Dosunmu’s shot attempts still come at the rim, showing that he’s not shying away from contact or collapsing defenses. He’s still attacking with confidence and intent.
But what’s really changed the calculus for defenders is his shooting from beyond the arc. Dosunmu is hitting 46% of his threes - a scorching number that demands attention.
That kind of accuracy turns him into a nightmare matchup: if you sag off, he’ll bury the shot; if you close out hard, he’ll blow by you and get into the paint. It’s a pick-your-poison scenario, and right now, defenders are running out of answers.
This inside-out balance has made Dosunmu one of the most efficient offensive players on the Bulls’ roster. He’s not just scoring - he’s doing it within the flow of the game, without forcing shots or dominating the ball. That kind of offensive maturity is rare for a player still carving out his long-term role in the league.
Defense: Quietly Elite
On the defensive end, Dosunmu has maintained the same tenacity and discipline that made him a rotation staple early in his career - but with noticeable improvements.
He’s cut down on his foul rate, which is a big deal for a player who thrives on physicality and constant engagement. His 6-foot-8 wingspan continues to be a major asset, allowing him to effectively guard both backcourt players and wings. That versatility is part of what’s allowed the Bulls to use him more as a wing defender this season, and he’s embraced the role.
Opponents are shooting 2.6% worse when Dosunmu is the primary defender - not a headline-grabbing stat, but a solid indicator of his ability to make life tougher for whoever he’s guarding. And it’s not just about one-on-one defense.
Dosunmu rarely misses a switch, and even when he does get beat, he fights to recover and contest from behind or the side. That kind of second-effort defense doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it shows up on film - and it matters.
Impact: Steady in a Season of Swings
With the Bulls sitting just above .500 at 22-21, consistency has been hard to come by. But Dosunmu has been one of the few players delivering it night in and night out. Whether it’s knocking down timely threes, locking up perimeter scorers, or making the right read on both ends, he’s become a foundational piece in Chicago’s rotation.
In a season filled with questions about the Bulls’ long-term direction, Dosunmu has provided one clear answer: he belongs. And if he keeps playing like this, he might just be the glue that holds this team together through the second half of the season.