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The NBA announced today that Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso is the recipient of the 2023-24 NBA Hustle Award. Caruso becomes the second winner of the league honor for the Bulls since the introduction of the award in the 2016-17 season, joining Thaddeus Young (2020-21).

The NBA Hustle Award recognizes a player that impacts winning on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor on a nightly basis through statistics not always seen on the traditional box score – including deflections, loose balls recovered, charges drawn, screen assists, contested shots and box-outs, among others.

Caruso continually made his presence felt on both sides of the court for Chicago this season, ranking among the league leaders in a variety of hustle statistics. Along with posting career-high averages in scoring (10.1 ppg), rebounding (3.8 rpg), steals (1.7 spg – third in NBA) and blocks (1.0 bpg) through 71 games during the 2023-24 campaign, he ranked first among all NBA players in deflections per game (3.7), seventh in total loose balls recovered (73) and seventh in contested three-point shots as a defender (221). Among all NBA guards, he ranked tied for ninth in charges drawn (12) and 13th in total defensive shots contested (357).

Following an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection a year ago, Caruso set career highs in three-pointers made (136), steals (120) and blocks (70) this season, becoming the first player in Bulls history to record such minimums in a single season. He was the only NBA player with 100-plus steals and 70-plus blocks in 2023-24.

Caruso becomes the sixth winner of the NBA Hustle Award in its eight-year history, joining Patrick Beverley, Amir Johnson, Marcus Smart (3x), Montrezl Harrell and Young.

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Alex Caruso receives 2023-24 NBA Hustle Award

Chicago Bulls forward Onuralp Bitim has been diagnosed with a detached retina in his right eye. He will require season-ending surgery and will be out for the remainder of the postseason.

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Onuralp Bitim Injury Update

We hosted an exclusive Q&A with Bulls G/F Onuralp Bitim in our official Discord server. Join&nbsp;here&nbsp;so you don't miss out on future giveaways and Q&As with Bulls players and alumni!

Question: OB! What's your favorite food in Chicago? - @Dale

Onuralp Bitim: That's a tough one because I love Chicago restaurants already but I'm going to say I love short ribeye. Wherever I go in Chicago, I'm just ordering short ribeye haha.

Q: Recommendations on Turkish food I should try? - @Quey

OB: I found some [Turkish places in Chicago] but some of them I still haven't been able to go to. I will let our fans know when I find a good Turkish spot. The manti is my favorite Turkish food -- it's like a ravioli, there's a little meat inside and then on top of it is tomato sauce and yogurt. I'm craving that.

Q: How did you feel the first time stepping on the UC court? - @YoungJordan

OB: It's unbelievable. It's a blessing to go out there in front of our Bulls fans because they're crazy. It's good to be around them because they're supportive and the atmosphere is just magical.

Q: Who inspires you and pushes you daily to get better at basketball? - @yvnyungboi

OB: My mom and my dad helped me a lot and then my basketball idols like MJ and Kobe. But mostly it was me because every day even when I'm tired, or low motivated I just found a way to motivate myself and follow my dreams.

Q: Who was a player that you idolized or grew up watching?

OB: MJ and Kobe, definitely. They both have a killer mentality and they're both huge competitors, not just great players or great scorers.

Q: Playing in Europe and now the US, what have been the biggest differences between the two? - @JiTarion

OB: I mean the game speed is very different here compared to Europe. Basketball is international but the speed and some things are different. There's much more skillful players here, better players here, so I mean attacking and defending when your opponent is really good can be harder.

Q: What does it mean to be able to play and represent your country with the National Team?

OB: It's a dream come true. I've always wanted to become an important national team player because it's a huge privilege to represent your country in front of the other countries. I think we have a very talented team and I have huge confidence that we will have a gold medal in some tournament in the next few years.

Q: Hello OB, I think most fans don't know you've won dunk contests in 2020 and 2019, are you interested in doing the Slam Dunk contest if you get invited? - @D-Flo27

OB: I mean definitely, why not? I'm a sneaky athlete, that's what my teammates say. If I have a good opportunity in a game, I will show our fans a nice 360° dunk.

Q: If you could posterize anyone currently playing or retired, who would you posterize? - @definitesauce12

OB: Definitely there are some players on my list that I want to poster but I don't want to tell the list because I don't want them to have a heads up haha. But definitely I have a list and it will come.

Q: Hey OB. Been following your journey from the UK since before you signed, which parts of your game do you think you need to improve to get regular NBA minutes? Also I'm going to Antalya in August, any recommendations for things to do? - @MattSeeRedUK

OB: I have a lot of plans to improve my skills. Since I came to the Bulls, I'm trying to focus on my quick decisions because the game is faster and you need to decide quick. And then also my shots because we have very capable, very skillful guards and they can find you whenever you are open. So I'm just trying to be ready to shoot.

Definitely, my family lives there actually! It's a very nice spot, the weather is kind of like Miami. Definitely you should visit the Konyaalti Beach, it's a very magical place. And then Belek for the nice hotels and great golf courses and everything. I can definitely recommend those. At Konyaalti Beach, there are nice cliffs and the sea and I'd recommend going out there and enjoying the view.

Q: Hey OB, huge fan of you brotha. I just want to know what it was like going from undrafted to a superstar off the bench. You truly have such a great come up and story and it’s very well-deserved! Also, what is it like playing alongside amazing players such as DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Coby White? What are your bonds with them? - @Super

OB: It's a huge privilege [playing next to them] because it's not only on the court that they're helping me and teaching me things. Also off the court, they are all great guys. They are all very humble. It's a huge privilege for me to have teammates and brothers like that.

Q: OB you had to be patient for most of the season before getting the opportunity to take your moment. How did you stay mentally ready for that? - @Neill See Red UK

OB: It might be exciting or stressful in the beginning but at the end of the day, I'm doing a job that I really love. And I'm doing a job that I'm really talented for. So when I hear my name, even if I got excited for a little bit, when I am stepping on the court, everything just goes away. It's the same basketball that I've been playing since I was a child, and I just focus on myself and my great teammates.

Q: OB glad to have you on the team! How do you feel about Chicago? - @itsjose

OB: I love it. I love enjoying the good restaurants or the riverwalk when the weather is nicer. I've only been in Chicago for let's say a season so there's still lots to explore. I've been to dinners with my teammates and some of our coaching staff so I'm still exploring a new place every day. So I can say Chicago is a beautiful place, there's a lot to do and I'm enjoying everything.

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Onuralp Bitim Q&A

We hosted an exclusive Q&A with Bulls Legend Luol Deng in our official Discord server. Join here so you don't miss out on future giveaways and Q&As with Bulls players and alumni!

Question: How special is it for you to have the South Sudan national team playing in London against Team USA this summer before the Olympics (and playing during the Olympics too)? - @frenchbullsfan

Luol Deng: Probably one of my biggest achievements and probably one of the most exciting things that ever happened for our country. I’m excited to go back to the Olympics because I played in it in 2012, but also to play the US in London. The Olympics is a dream come true.

Q: Luol I love you. You, Kirk, Noah, Rose, Gibson, and Butler had an infectious intensity. You were all drafted by the Bulls. No matter what happened in the game, you never gave up, how did you create this culture? - @bertonery

LD: I gotta give that to Paxson, honestly. I always tell people, I think Pax is one of the best at drafting players, and he drafted us with characters that fit together. Kirk Hinrich, myself, Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Derrick obviously, Jimmy Butler. You can keep going but Pax really had an eye towards building and drafting individuals that are not just skilled but had heart. And he knew what the city wanted. I’ve always been and was a big Pax fan, and think he didn’t get the credit he deserved. His drafting is one of the best I’ve seen.

Q: Hey Luol, we see the work you're doing with South Sudan and full credit on that. But do you keep an eye on any up and coming UK talent? - @MattSeeRedUK

LD: Yes, I do. My camp was the first camp to rank players, and since we did that system, you can see the change in basketball in the UK. Kids are more competitive, want to be the best because of the ranking system. My camp stopped since Covid, but look forward to getting back hopefully next year.

Q: Hey, Luol Deng! I am currently a South Sudanese College Student that’s about to graduate soon & I have a passion for basketball and being involved in the basketball scene. Working with the South Sudanese Basketball teams is one of my goals. What are some advice that you could give me to achieve that goal? - @Mac

LD: Probably just learn the game as much as possible and whatever area your focus is in, do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. Keep getting better, and add in your own ideas to make it special.

Q: What was your relationship with Kobe like, were y'all very close with each other? - @Rekty

LD: We were very close. There was a time that we were talking a lot, obviously, when the Bulls and Lakers were talking about a trade and Kobe wouldn’t let the trade happen unless I stayed, and the trade fell through. It wasn’t because of the Bulls or Lakers, it was because of Kobe. The Bulls wouldn’t trade me to the Lakers unless Kobe was in that trade and Kobe said no.

Q: What was your favorite game as a Bull in your career? - @Dale

LD: When I scored 40 points at home against Portland, or maybe even the games where we were playing the Heat where LeBron was there. Those games always got the fan energy home and away, energy was amazing. We broke their win streak… I scored 28 or 32 that game. We would get up more for those games, we took it really personal. We didn’t want them to break records at the United Center. That game, Joakim Noah was hurt and I think maybe Kirk too….We had guys out and we decided as a team that we can’t lose to them.

We would win a title if Derrick doesn’t get hurt. Maybe even a couple. The level Derrick was playing at – I’ve never played with anyone at that level, and at that age the dominance that he has. Everything happens for a reason I guess but to me that’s one of those things that hurts. It hurt me, even when it happened. I knew it would change a lot of things, not just for Derrick but for all of us.

Q: How did it feel to be relied upon to play so many minutes by Thibs? - @YoungJordan

LD: I loved it. I think that Thibs is probably the one coach - I played for Scott Skiles also that I liked - but Thibs was the one coach I played for where I just played. DIdn’t think anything selfishly, points, just knew I’d get a lot of minutes and just play hard and trust that everything comes together. And that’s when Bulls fans loved me as well, they knew I’d play hard for them.

Q: Hey Luol, what was your typical pre-game ritual? - @DChan87

LD: After shootaround, I would take a nap for an hour and a half. I would always stretch at home, do something light. My pregame was always salmon, brown rice, and spinach. Even when I was on the road, I would try to find that.

Q: What was your favorite shoe to wear during games? - @Super

LD: The Durants. There’s something about the Durants – the 10 or 11s. If you can find a size 15, you let me know. I’m looking for them anywhere.

Q: How good do you think prime D-Rose would be compared to the competition of today? - @JorGoat

LD: He would be even better. His speed, and with more possessions in a game now – 33 more possessions in the game now and the way its reffed, he would have a huge advantage.

Q: What is one skill or drill every young player aspiring to go pro needs to master? - @definitesause12

LD: There is three things: Number one is obviously shooting. You need to be able to shoot. Two is handles, you need to dribble well. And number three is footwork. If you have those three things, you’re giving yourself a chance. Everybody’s athleticism is different, your footwork and how to move your feet, where they’re supposed to be on defense, coming off the screens, is also footwork. If you can shoot it changes the game so people gotta respect that, it opens up anything.

Q: Who was your favorite player to guard during your time in the league? - @sandman

LD: There's nobody I'm happy to guard, haha. That is work right there.

Q: The Guardian dubbed you "Britain's Secret Superstar".. who's your favorite British Superstar? (sports or anything else) - @SpaceGhostForce

LD: Ian Wright from Arsenal. He's a footballer and he's the reason I'm a Gunners fan.

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Luol Deng Q&A

Chicago Bulls commissioned eight talented female designers to bring their style and creativity to the game day posts on social media across the Bulls channels for games during March.

The third year of the Women's History Month Graphic Series saw over 70 artists apply from across the world, through the Chicago Bulls Creator Portal. This season's artists were selected through the portal, where artists from a wide-range of disciplines can submit their portfolios and work for potential opportunities to work with the Bulls on future projects.

Check out their incredible work and click through to their portfolios below.

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Women's History Month Graphic Series 2023/24

The NBA announced today that Bulls guard/forward DeMar DeRozan was selected as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 4 to March 10. DeRozan captured his 15th career Player of the Week Award and his fourth with Chicago, which is tied for the fourth-most weekly honors in Bulls history.

DeRozan, 6-6, 220, posted averages of 29.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 39.4 minutes through four games last week, leading Chicago to a 3-1 mark with road victories over the Sacramento Kings (March 4), Utah Jazz (March 6) and Golden State Warriors (March 7).

DeRozan (29.8 ppg) ranked third in the Eastern Conference and seventh overall in the NBA in scoring over the week while tallying shooting clips of .551 from the field, .412 from distance and .923 from the free-throw line. He led the NBA in free-throws made per game (9.0) and in free-throw percentage (.923) during the four-game stretch and ranks tied for fourth in the league in total free throws made (399) this season.

The six-time NBA All-Star scored a league-high 48 total fourth quarter points in the week, including 19 points in the final frame against the Kings and 17 points in the fourth quarter at the Jazz – becoming the first player in the play- by-play era in Bulls history (since 1997-98) to score at least 17 points in a final stanza in back-to-back games. Additionally, he had a league-high 20 clutch points on the week (clutch points are defined as when the score margin is within five points in the last five minutes of play).

DeRozan also set the highest two-game span for fourth-quarter scoring by any Bulls player in the play-by-play era, totaling 36 points. The Southern California product currently ranks fourth in the NBA in points scored in the last 12 minutes of action this season with 411 points and is second in clutch points with 147.

During the week, DeRozan had two 30-point games and made double-digit free throws in both contests against Sacramento and Golden State. DeRozan also tallied 24 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists against the L.A. Clippers, marking his sixth double-double this season and his team-leading fifth game with at least 10 assists. DeRozan leads the Bulls in scoring on the year (1,436 points) and is second in assists (333), only trailing teammate Coby White (340 assists), who also received a Player of the Week nomination for his play over the last four games. DeRozan holds season marks of 23.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists in a league-high 37.9 minutes per game through 62 games played in 2023-24.

The three former weekly awards for DeRozan with Chicago came during the 2021-22 season, with the last selection for the week of Feb. 14, 2022. His four total wins ties Ben Gordon and Jimmy Butler for the fourth-most in franchise history, trailing only Derrick Rose and Scottie Pippen (five times each) and Michael Jordan (23 times).

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DeMar DeRozan named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

It’s time for Los Bulls! The Bulls celebrate Latiné fans from across Chicago and beyond and help tell their impactful stories. Through their commitment to celebrating and empowering Latiné fans and the intersection of art, culture and community, the Bulls have partnered with several local artists and community programs throughout the season to design art across Chicago that honors Latiné culture.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This season, the Bulls partnered with four Latiné artists on creative projects including three murals and one basketball court. Murals and public art quickly become part of the fabric of a community, which is why we continue to lend our time and resources to facilitate creative expression, particularly for local youth, and to reflect the rich heritage of Chicago’s Latiné community,” said Adrienne Scherenzel, vice president of community engagement at the Chicago Bulls. “We look forward to continuing our celebration of the Latiné community with our Los Bulls theme night and Watch Party.”&nbsp;

Celebrating Culture and Community Through Art&nbsp;&nbsp;

Throughout the 2023-24 season, the Bulls have installed four pieces of large-scale public art in partnership with Latiné artists.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mural with Yolllicalli Arts Program and Mario Mena in Pilsen: Designed and painted by students of the Yollocalli Arts Program, the Bulls celebrated the completion of a mural. Working with Yollocalli’s summer Street Art program of 15 students, the Bulls prompted the youth to design a mural that represents both Bulls and Latiné Culture. The students created a design that spans three sides of a house in Pilsen across from the National Museum of Mexican Art. The mural serves as the first stop in museum-led mural tours and depicts Bulls as powerful spirit guides, seamlessly merging the realms of the living and the afterlife.  

Basketball Court at the Miracle Center by Liz Flores in Belmont Cragin: The Bulls and The Miracle Center (TMC), a female- and Latiné-owned and operated community center that empowers youth through the expression of art and performance, partnered with Latiné painter and muralist Liz Flores, Connors Sports and All-Star Press to unveil a new basketball court on the Northwest side of Chicago in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. Flores designed TMC’s court with art that is culturally reflective of the center and Bulls Latiné communities.  

Mural at Infinity High School by Sentrock and Students: For the third year of the program and second year in partnership with United Airlines, the Bulls partnered with Infinity High School art students to develop a mural for their school painted by local Latiné artist Sentrock. Sentrock and students spent several weeks together collaborating on art that reflects the student’s community, creativity and culture. Fans can visit the atrium during the game on March 11 to see the mural and learn more about the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SEE RED Mural by Fez in Pilsen: The Chicago Bulls unveiled three new murals that showcase different elements of the Bulls brand in Pilsen, West Loop and West Town ahead of the 2023-24 season. Each mural was hand-painted and designed by a local muralist to showcase different elements of the Bulls brand. The Pilsen mural created by Fedz was inspired by the raw emotion and support of the Chicago Bulls fanbase. Fedz believes that his mural will connect with the people of Chicago because as he shared, “The Chicago Bulls have always been a staple in the community with an extraordinarily diverse fanbase, which I feel are represented within the piece. From children to men and women, we all carry that Bulls spirit inside.” &nbsp;

SEE RED Watch Party: Los Bulls Presented by Michelob ULTRA&nbsp;

As part of the new Bulls Bar Network Watch Party Series, the Bulls and Michelob ULTRA hosted a Los Bulls-themed watch party at Green Room Tap located in Pilsen when the Bulls played the Los Angeles Clippers on March 9. Fans were able to celebrate the Latiné community, received a custom Los Bulls x ULTRA long-sleeve, cheer on the Bulls and had the chance to win Bulls tickets and swag.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Los Bulls Theme Night Presented by United Airlines&nbsp;&nbsp;

Presented by United Airlines, Los Bulls theme night will tip off in the atrium with a pregame concert at 4:00pm presented by Michelob ULTRA that will feature performances from Ballet Folkorico de Chicago, a concert with two local Latiné DJs (DJ Ragol and DJ Enigma) and local Latiné vendors offering fans a paleta cart, fruit stand, paper picado and churros.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The night will continue with Chicago-based violinist Brenden Perez, accompanied by Mario Hernandez and Sebastian Oseguera, performing the National Anthem followed by a halftime performance by Ballet Folkorico de Chicago. A nod to the Latiné community, the team will wear league-provided “noches ene be a” warm-ups.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

For the second season, the Bulls will showcase art throughout the arena that was developed in partnership with Bulls Design Advisor, Don C and Infinity High School students as part of a year-round STEAM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program, curated in collaboration with United Airlines. The artwork is represented on the Item of Game for March 11. Fans can purchase the Item of the Game – a 1966 x Los Bulls t-shirt –at the United Center in the Madhouse Team Store and online at shop.bulls.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Los Bulls Celebrate the Latiné Community  

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed guard Andrew Funk to a two-way contract.

Funk, 6-5, 200, joins Chicago after appearing in 24 games (20 starts) with the Grand Rapids Gold, the Denver Nuggets G League affiliate, where he averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 37.3 minutes per game this season and led the Gold in three-pointers made (71). 

Prior to his time in the NBA G League, Funk spent four seasons at Bucknell University (2018-22) and wrapped up his collegiate career at Penn State (2022-23), posting collegiate career averages of 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.9 minutes across 147 games (113 starts) between the two programs.  

During Funk’s college career, the Warrington, PA. native earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2021-22 – finishing second in the conference in points per game (17.6) and third in total points scored (564) – and during his final college season at Penn State, Funk led the Big Ten in three-point makes (112) and in three-point shooting percentage (.412).

Chicago’s roster now stands at 18, including three players under two-way contract.

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Bulls sign Andrew Funk to two-way contract

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