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Steps Malcolm Hill must take to make the Chicago Bulls roster

By Thomas J. Brown

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 04: Malcolm Hill #14 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates during the 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 04: Malcolm Hill #14 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates during the 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Malcolm Hill, Chicago Bulls
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 09: Nick Richards #14 of the Charlotte Hornets battles Malcolm Hill #14 of the Chicago Bulls for a rebound during the first half of their game at Spectrum Center on February 09, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Legendary UCLA Bruins Coach John Wooden once said, “it takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.” The Chicago Bulls can attest to the truth of this statement.

They acquired Zach LaVine at the trade deadline in 2017 when he was simply a high-flyer and not the well-rounded All-Star he is today. They hired head coach Billy Donovan in 2020. Although he was a proven commodity, he did not guide the Bulls to the playoffs in his first season at the helm.

Last year, things finally came together for the pride of the Windy City. The offseason acquisitions of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso meshed nicely with roster mainstays Nikola Vučević and Zach LaVine.

The team was finally able to return to the postseason and performed admirably before being eliminated by the defending champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. The process of trading for the right players, hiring the right coach, and signing the right free agents had paid huge dividends; the Bulls were once again a winning franchise.

Malcolm Hill has appeared in 19 NBA games. If he lives up to his potential next season, he could play a consistent 3&D role for the Chicago Bulls.

Hidden on the team’s bench is a player by the name of Malcolm Hill, who fully understands the phrase “It takes time to create excellence…” He is the same age as Zach LaVine but only has 19 NBA games under his belt.

Coming out of high school, he was a highly-recruited, four-star recruit. He went on to play for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, where he was named 2nd team All Big-Ten two years in a row.

After going undrafted in 2017 and playing several years overseas, Hill finally finds himself on an NBA roster. Let’s take a closer look at what he must do to secure a spot on the team and play his way into the Bulls’ rotation next season.

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