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White’s father passed away right as his senior year of high school was starting. His
dad, Donald, hooped at North Carolina Central and introduced the game to Coby as a
youngster. His passing had a profound effect on Coby.
“That was the hardest year of my life. A lot of things go through your head. Like,
why? At that time I think I was 17. I’m saying, why me? I’m 17 years old and my dad is
never going to see me play at North Carolina. He’s not going to see me on draft night.
He’s not going to see me get married. It all comes with its trials and tribulations,” says
Coby. “I had a choice to make. It was either keep going and stay on the right track or
differ from that. “I was the only one at home with my mom. I had to take care of her and
make sure she was straight. My dad wanted me to achieve my goal and he wanted me
to go to the League. My dad was one of the realist people I’ve met. He was my best
friend. It was hard for sure but I think it brought me closer to God.
“I had to grow up quicker than most my
age because I had a lot more responsibili-
ty. Where I’m from is not the safest area.
It still messes with me at night because
I’m not there with my mom—she’s there
by herself. When I went to college it was
super hard for me because I knew she
was the only one there.”
White couldn’t escape the “first
first-round pick from North Carolina
since Michael Jordan” headlines that
dominated the local news cycle in the
hours after the Chicago Bulls selected
him seventh overall. He got there by not
succumbing to all the social media
projections that popped up along the way.
Those will only intensify now as he
prepares to help turn around such a
historic franchise. Regardless of the
outcome, confidence is one thing he won’t
ever lack.
“When you have so many people
doubting you—only a very small
percentage get drafted into the NBA. For
me to be one of those top guys is a
blessing,” he says. “It also feels surreal.
This is your dream but you don’t really
think—growing up, I didn’t think I’d be
here. But it was my dream. It still hasn’t
hit me but I now know it’s all part of
God’s plan for me. I still have a long way
to go and I plan to be in the League for a
very long time.” S