The Chicago Bulls opened their 2025–26 season with Media Day on Monday, Sept. 29, at the United Center, offering fans a glimpse into the team’s mindset and the fresh direction that management and players say will define the year ahead. General Manager Artūras Karnišovas and Head Coach Billy Donovan both stressed the same themes that resonated throughout the day: toughness, consistency, and a commitment to building while competing.
Donovan, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this summer, and Karnišovas spoke about the progress the Bulls made in the final stretch of last season, pointing to a young core that has shown flashes of potential. Their vision was echoed by players who met with reporters, including Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and other returning guards, who emphasized the need for a defensive identity and a more physical style of play.
Chicago Bulls Guard Coby White
White, who solidified himself as a leader last season, said his focus remains on winning while continuing to evolve as a player. Entering a contract year, White spoke openly about pushing himself to All-Star caliber play and building on last season’s late surge. “I think every player has goals, but winning is always at the top,” he said. “For me, it’s about taking that next step, being more consistent, and helping this team compete every night.”
In his effort to get better, White even joked about trying to overhaul his diet this summer. He gave up red meat, experimented with pescatarian meals, and admitted that for a short stretch he was eating salmon almost every day. “It was hard because I can’t eat shellfish,” he laughed, explaining why his experiment didn’t last long. “So after a while, I went back to chicken.” It was a lighthearted moment that showed his determination to improve while also poking fun at himself for not quite mastering a new eating routine.
Dosunmu, fresh off shoulder surgery, said his recovery has gone well and that he is eager to contribute in what is again a guard-heavy roster. “The main thing this team needs to do is be consistent,” Dosunmu said, pointing to stretches last year when the Bulls played elite-level defense but failed to sustain it.
Chicago Bulls Guard Ayo Dosunmu
Veteran voices added to the chorus. Center Nikola Vučević stressed the importance of balance between developing younger players and demanding results. “We’ve got to continue building while also competing every night,” he said. Vučević, one of the most experienced players on the roster, explained that he sees his role as both stabilizer and teacher for teammates adjusting to bigger responsibilities.
Josh Giddey, who signed an extension this offseason, said he was relieved to have his future in Chicago secured and is ready to embrace a leadership role. He called the Bulls’ locker room “one of the most supportive I’ve been in” and emphasized the team’s competitiveness. “I trust my teammates, and I believe in this group,” Giddey said, noting that his playmaking and vision would be most effective if the team improved its movement and off-ball activity. He said that developing more fluid offense is one of the team’s biggest opportunities to take the next step.
Matas Buzelis, entering his second season, said he feels ready to expand his role after a rookie year spent learning the pro game. Donovan praised Buzelis for embracing mistakes as part of his development, saying the young forward’s energy and work ethic will be critical to the Bulls’ depth this year. Buzelis himself spoke of wanting to prove he can be a more impactful two-way player, stressing that he has worked on strength and conditioning to withstand the grind of an NBA season.
Chicago Bulls Forward Matas Buzelis
While many of the conversations centered on defense and team identity, one of the more visible stories of the day was off the court. A large contingent of Japanese reporters and photographers filled the media workroom to cover Yuki Kawamura, the Bulls’ new guard on a two-way contract with the Windy City Bulls. Kawamura, who starred for Japan in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, drew high praise from teammates, who described him as funny, competitive, and eager to learn. His arrival not only signals new depth for the roster, but also an expanding international spotlight for Chicago.
The mix of optimism and accountability was the tone of the day. Karnišovas pointed out that while the franchise has not won a playoff series in a decade, this year is about showing measurable progress without skipping steps. Donovan added that his staff will stress details such as creating turnovers, taking charges, and finishing possessions with physicality — the type of habits that could determine whether the Bulls return to the postseason.
By the time Media Day wrapped, the message from the general manager, the coach, and the players was aligned. White and Dosunmu spoke of consistency, Vučević of balance, Giddey of trust, Buzelis of growth, and Kawamura of international promise. Each voice pointed in the same direction: a Bulls team determined to compete with toughness, pride, and a sharper edge.
Additional Players Photographed during the Chicago Bulls Media Day
Tre Jones
Jalen Smith
Emanuel Miller