For the first time in his career, Ayo Dosunmu failed to play at least 76 games. The 25-year-old guard was limited to 46 appearances last season due to shoulder instability, which ultimately led to surgery. Since being drafted by his hometown Chicago Bulls in 2021, he had appeared in 94.7 percent of their contests.
Moreover, Dosunmu missed just six games in three seasons at Illinois, establishing himself as one of the most durable players in basketball. His shoulder procedure in March was the first surgery of his life, making last season’s shutdown a truly unprecedented event.
Surprisingly, the Bulls thrived without Dosunmu in the lineup, posting a 15–7 record after his injury.