Arizona Basketball: Chicago Bulls call up Rawle Alkins

Arizona Basketball star guard got the call today, he got called up to the Chicago Bulls.

Keep grinding, they say. Your time is coming, they say. Take one day at a time you never know what could happen, they say. Chicago Bulls lone healthy two-way guard Rawle Alkins has been grinding and taking it one day at a time. He’s been working on his skills, his physique, and waiting for an opportunity to transfer everything he has learned and skills he has honed to the Chicago Bulls.

One minute King Rawle is enjoying lunch at his favorite restaurant (Benihana’s in case you didn’t know), next he’s on a flight to Oklahoma. Having spent time with the Bulls in pre-season, he should fit in quite nicely on the team, and maybe give them the shot in the arm they need.

Arizona Wildcats

Alkins fellow Bulls two-way player Tyler Ulis has been out injured for most of the season. On top of that, the Bulls have suffered injuries as well and rookies were playing up. So Alkins has been playing in the G-League with not much help but frequently is the main ingredient in come-back rallies.

Most of Windy City Bulls (6-12) opponents rosters include both two-way players along with a few NBA rookies. Not the Windy City Bulls. It’s just Alkins. If he had more help, the teams’ record would have been much better and his assists count would surely be much higher.

The WC Bulls do much better when the ball is in Alkins’ hands when he plays point guard. It sets him up for foul-drawing drives and no-look passes to teammates. This is where King Rawle has shined leading comeback efforts in numerous games. When not playing point guard, he’s shown he can play and guard multiple positions.

Against the Maine Red Claws on November 29th, Alkins scored a career high in points (31), assists (6) and rebounds (13) adding three blocks. Against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, he earned his second and consecutive double-double scoring 18 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing six dimes (tying career-high).

Alkins has played in 18 games and started in 15. He’s averaging 15 points (19 per 36 min), 6 rebounds, three assists, one steal and .5 blocks per game. He only cares if his team wins, so it has to be frustrating, to say the least. It has also a great learning experience for him to lead a team in the G-League. Playing up in the NBA, he should play even better with better talent around him and more opportunities to shine.

This former Wildcat is busy checking off all the stat boxes and receives props from announcers about his ability to steal the ball or cause turnovers. If statisticians counted defensive disruptions, he could possibly top the list.

The wait must have been difficult for a player who plays with so much heart and has waited for his chance to shine. Covering the South Bay Lakers, I have seen both two-way players and up to three Lakers rookies listed on both rosters so far this season. Earlier this month, Windy City went up against the SB Lakers. Even with Alkins 22-point performance leading the way, the team came very close but lost 107-101.

The Bulls have also been running with a really thin roster without fellow former Wildcat Lauri Markkanen until just a week ago. With Markkanen back, the Bulls have had a bit of turmoil lately when the front office fired Head Coach Fred Hoiberg. The Bulls have been struggling and are last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-23. Holberg’s assistant Jim Boylen took the reigns and immediately raised the bar as far as expectations from players. That escalation caused a rebellion by the players, but not all of the players.

After a 56 point loss to the Boston Celtics and Boylen calling a practice on a Sunday, a few players called for a boycott of the practice via group text. Showing his leadership, Lauri along with brand new teammate Robin Lopez called for a truce and for the team to at least show up and talk.

LaVine, who Ramona Shelburne said was vocal about practicing back-to-back and supported his teammates, was interviewed and relayed that the team did meet and that things were aired out. Boylen reported that it was only a few players who didn’t want to practice. Putting that behind them, the team moved forward. Recently LaVine hurt his ankle and Jabari Parker seemed to be riding the bench, enter Alkins who got the call-up on Saturday to help the backcourt.

The Bulls immediately put him on a plane to Oklahoma City ahead of the team who just stunned the San Antonio Spurs at home (98-93) after being down by 21 points behind Lauri and Kris Dunn.

Alkins will be suited up for the Bulls game on Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 6 pm PST/7 pm MST. Against OKC, Markkanen hit the game-winning layup for the Bulls big win against the Thunder just a week ago.

Next Wildcat up! We cannot wait to see the first Alkins to Markkanen lob for a dunk in the NBA. Savage Life indeed!