Roy Williams courtside as Coby White shines in Hornets’ first home game
Former North Carolina coach roy williams sat courtside at the Spectrum Center as Coby White made his Hornets home debut, a visit the guard called a "blessing" after scoring 20 points in Charlotte’s 109-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Roy Williams courtside at Spectrum Center
White said he was surprised to see Roy Williams in a courtside seat for the game and that the coach had called him the night before to say he was coming. White called the moment special for the North Carolina native and said the relationship with Williams "is bigger than basketball, " adding that Williams has helped him through some tough times in his life.
20 points in 21 minutes helped seal the 109-93 victory
Coming off the bench, White finished with 20 points, three rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes as the Hornets beat the Trail Blazers 109-93. Charlotte is now 3-0 since White made his debut on Feb. 24 against his former team, a run that has coincided with his return to play in his home state.
Return to Chicago and the road ahead
Before the home debut, White returned to the United Center for his first game since the trade and played 16 minutes off the bench, scoring 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting as the Hornets throttled the Bulls 131-99 in that matchup. White said he hopes to stay healthy and help his hometown team reach the postseason, and that he will address his contract and future in July.
Home-state ties and early impact
Born and raised in Goldsboro, North Carolina, White played college ball in state and has leaned on those ties since joining Charlotte. He said roy williams has checked in on him "every step of the way" since the trade, and that seeing the retired coach courtside after the All-Star break lifted him during a rough month.
White’s quick contributions — a 20-point outing in 21 minutes in his first home appearance and earlier scoring in his return to the United Center — have given Charlotte a short-term boost. He will continue to be in the lineup as the Hornets push forward, and he has signaled that contract discussions will wait until July.
