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Adama Sanogo wants to prove he can help the Bulls immediately

Vendetta Sports Media / NBA / July 13, 2023

Adama Sanogo wants to prove he can help the Bulls immediately

Immediately after the 2023 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls raced to sign former UConn big-man Adama Sanogo to a two-way deal. Despite being undrafted, the call from Chicago curbed any disappointment Sanogo may have had post-draft.

“If they give me a two-way, they’re giving me a chance to prove myself to them,” Sanogo said. “I’ll show them how I can help this team to be one of the best in the NBA. I want to do whatever they want me to do to get a roster spot.

“That’s a feeling I will never forget for the rest of my life.”

It’s easy to understand why the Bulls were eager to sign the 6-foot-9 big man immediately after the draft. Sanogo was one of the most important players in UConn’s championship run last season as earned the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player honors. He averaged 17.2 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game last season and was an elite and versatile defender.

Now at Summer League, Sanogo noted he wanted to make the most of his opportunities on the floor.

“I may not get all the time I want in summer league,” he said. “But the time I may get, I’m going to use that to show them I’m a great teammate and I compete and I want to win.”

His most impressive Summer League game came against the Kings, where he recorded 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, hauling in nine rebounds and had two steals with a pair of blocks.

Considering the consistent turnover at the Bulls’ backup big spot over the past few seasons, Sanogo has an opportunity to crack the roster and the rotation if he performs well. He is expected to be slotted behind Nikola Vucevic, Andre Drummond, and potentially Marko Simonovic.

Offensively, Sanogo is a good roll-man with great touch and pick-and-pop upside as he was a 35 percent shooter from behind the arc last season. Defensively, he can guard one through five and possesses great instincts.