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Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu is having a moment

By Sidney Madden | @sidney_madden_


🏀 BULLS STARS

Is it just us or is Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu shining a little brighter lately?

The Chicago native had a career-high 24 points, set a franchise rookie record by hitting nine consecutive shots from the floor, and scored that impressive half-court buzzer beater Monday. 

He has seen more playing time alongside MVP contender DeMar DeRozan as teammates continue to cycle on and off the court with injuries. (DeRozan took Monday off for some R&R while Zach LaVine and Javonte Green returned.) 

And Dosunmu has been taking notes: His mid-range jumpers this week resembled that of the four-time All-Star, according to the Chicago Tribune

It’s not just the 22-year-old’s technical versatility that is impressive, it’s his attitude, too. He’s the “epitome of a Chicago kid,” DeRozan said.

The University of Illinois and Morgan Park High School alum’s mom told the Chicago Sun-Times that she’s especially glad experienced teammates like DeRozan have taken Dosunmu under their wings.

Something about watching the vet mentor the rookie pulls at our heartstrings. DeRozan trekked to Champaign to watch Dosunmu’s college jersey get retired, and the Athletic dubbed Dosunmu the “DeRozan Whisperer.” Cute, right? 🥺

DeRozan and Dosunmu shake hands and smile in their red uniforms.
DeMar DeRozan and Ayo Dosunmu after the second buzzer-beater win Jan. 1. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson tells City Cast more about DeRozan’s leadership: “He knows the rhythms of an NBA season and that presence, it translates to other players young and old throughout the franchise.”

👉 Watch DeRozan take on the Raptors, his old team, at home at 7 p.m.
📲 Pre-order an “I ❤️Ayo” shirt. (We can match!)


📰 NEWSFEED

▪️ Chatham tenants allege three BSD Realty buildings have inhospitable living conditions, and that the property managers illegally kicked out residents. [Block Club Chicago]

▪️ In 2020, Illinois saw nearly 30% more women seeking an abortion from out of state compared to 2019. [Chicago Tribune; City Cast]

▪️ The Little Village Arch could be made a landmark today, pending City Council approval. [WTTW]

▪️ Something not so sweet? The Mars Wrigley chocolate plant in Galewood is shutting down. [Crain’s Chicago]

▪️ Vote City Cast as Chi’s best newsletter and pod! [Chicago Reader]

▪️ Here’s a remapping solution: Tavern-style wards, duh 🍕 [Chicago Genius Herald via listener Joel Simon; City Cast]


💡 CITY CAST EVENT

Revisit one of the biggest land grabs in Chicago history and how Black residents were pushed from their homes and jobs amid unkept promises. 

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Register now.


🥘 WHAT’S COOKIN’

Reader Allison Lantero is after my own heart with her Crock-Pot obsession and this cozy healthy white chicken chili from Ambitious Kitchen, a Chicago-based food blogger that I’m also a fan of! 

And Allison isn’t afraid to go off book: “I’ve also been experimenting with DIY slow cooker meals — like throw a bunch of veggies, a box of broth, 1-2 lbs of chicken, and a jar of salsa in for 6-8 hours on low and call it chicken tortilla soup.”

Yum 🤤Is this a City Cast cooking club in the works? I sure hope so. 

👉 What kind of Crock-Pot magic are you whipping up? Reply or email us. Your suggestion might be featured here!


✨ READER SHOUTOUT

Give it up for new reader Lea Ceasrine, who not only shared a top-notch hidden gem — whiskey cocktails at Koval Distillery — but also already referred friends to the City Cast newsletter.

We’re glad you and your pals are here, Lea! You, too, can earn cool rewards when you tell people to subscribe.