Ayo Dosunmu: Chicago Bull's hidden gem with tragic backstory
The 22-year-old has had to overcome a lot to get to where he is now
Chicago Bulls' rookie point guard Nigeria born American Ayo Dosunmu is proving to be one of the surprise packages of the NBA season and the 22-year-old has had to overcome a lot to get to where he is now, starting for his hometown team and helping them to one of the best records in the league.
After Lonzo Ball's recent injury, Dosunmu has been asked to step up and deliver in a starting role, which is just what he did on Monday night, dropping a career-high 24 points as the Bulls edged out the Thunder after dropping two games on the bounce.
The crowd have taken to the local boy who is living out his dream, and also that of his childhood friend Darius Brown, tragically killed by a stray bullet at 13-years-old. Brown was two years older and Dosunmu looked up to him as an older brother.
Brown spent every weekend with Dosunmu's family, with both playing for the basketball team that Ayo's father, Quam, coached. Basketball was their life but on August 3, 2011, he would shoot his last hoop.
The youngster sent Dosunmu, ten years old at the time, a message saying he was going to the park to play some ball while waiting for Quam. While he was there, a stray bullet from a gang fight ended his life.
Now, Dosunmu celebrates every bucket by making the 'jet' symbol with his hands, a tribute to his late friend.
"He was going like a jet," Ayo said years later.
"It was a symbol like living life free with no regrets, just enjoying life. When he died I just carried on his legacy and keep his legacy going on.
"He wasn't doing anything wrong. He wasn't breaking the law. He was just at the park playing basketball. I'm going to keep living for him, keep living for his family. I want his mom to understand how much he meant to everyone. As I'm living I want to keep pulling his name and keep pushing everything he lived for and what he meant."
