Former UConn star Adama Sanogo scores first career NBA points for Chicago Bulls
It’s been exactly nine months since he was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading UConn to a fifth national title. It’s been more than six months since he signed with the Chicago Bulls as an undrafted free agent, and two-plus months and 25 games since the start of the NBA season.
But on Tuesday night, former UConn star Adama Sanogo finally etched his name into the NBA record books– scoring his first career points.
Sanogo played nine minutes in the Bulls’ 110-97 loss at Philadelphia, and came away with 8 points and 6 rebounds. He went 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-3 from the free throw line.
His first bucket came off of a lob pass from forward Dalen Terry. Sanogo grabbed the ball, pump faked, drew a foul and scored the basket.
He would later get the ball in the post, back down defender Kenneth Lofton Jr. and muscle his way in for a jump hook, then finish a one-handed tip-in off of a Jevon Carter miss while falling to the floor.
“We’re seeing why this guy was really good when he was a member of the UConn Huskies,” NBC Sports Philadelphia play-by-play announcer Kate Scott said on the broadcast after Sanogo’s second basket.
“Big body, showing you a soft touch,” said color analyst Alaa Abdelnaby. “I talked to Danny Hurley about him said he’s just one of the greatest to coach, great student of the game.”
Sanogo’s playing time came in the final few minutes of a blowout loss, but the Bulls did finish the game on a 17-0 run after he checked in, meaning his plus-minus was +17.
Sanogo made his NBA debut on Dec. 28 against the Indiana Pacers, but saw just one minute of action. On Tuesday night, he was able to get himself on the score sheet.
The 21-year-old big man signed a two-way contract ahead of the season, and is splitting time between the Bulls and their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. He was called up to Chicago on Dec. 27 after starting center Nikola Vucevic suffered a strained left groin.
Sanogo has been making the most of his time in the G League, averaging 17.7 points and 10.8 rebounds in 16 games.
The Bulls play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
