The Chicago Bulls are in limbo. After three consecutive Play-in exits at the hands of the Heat, Chicago got embarrassed by Miami once again on Sunday with a 134-91 blowout loss. The Bulls have not won a single playoff series in a decade, and under Billy Donovan, they’ve reached the playoffs just once in five full seasons, where the Bucks eliminated them (4-1) in the first round. This season, it doesn’t feel much different as they seem set to finish in a Play-in position at best. To bring back the winning feeling to the franchise, the front office is looking at none other than ‘White Mike’.

Before this season began, Donovan had a 195-205 regular-season record, yet his job remained safe. In fact, Donovan signed a multi-year extension just last year in July. As per reports, he has the support of the executive vice president of basketball operations, Arturas Karnisovas. For now. This season’s 24-26 record signifies that trust is decreasing. That’s where Chicago’s own and current Duke head coach comes into the picture.

“Sources close to the situation have indicated there may be mutual interest between The Bulls and Jon Scheyer if, and when, they move on from Billy Donovan.”

Grassroots basketball veteran Dinos Trigonis suggested there may be mutual interest between the 38-year-old Scheyer and the Chicago Bulls if the franchise eventually decides to move on from Donovan. Scheyer’s success for the Blue Devils is evident, as he has led them to a 109-23 record as head coach and reached March Madness in each of his first three seasons. In fact, this year, the Blue Devils have a 20-1 record. While his coaching record is impressive, it’s his connection with Chicago that could truly work in his favor.

Scheyer grew up in Northbrook, in the northern suburbs, and attended Glenbrook North High School. He would even lead the Spartans to an Illinois High School Association Class AA state basketball championship as a junior. That’s when his rivals noticed him, and the comparison with Chicago’s Michael Jordan began.

Former NBA star and Chicago native Patrick Beverley, once a rival of Scheyer on the Chicago basketball scene, recalled a story. Pat Bev stated that the Duke coach’s willingness to play anyone, anywhere, combined with his resilience, is what made people call him ‘The White Mike’.

Emergence of Jon Scheyer’s ‘White Mike’ story

“If anyone doesn’t know Jon Scheyer, he played at Glenbrook North High School. When I say he never ducked any smoke from any athlete in Chicago, he never ducked any smoke,” Beverley said last year on his podcast.

“They called him ‘the White Mike’. He had a stardom no other kid had in Chicago, and his school wasn’t even in Chicago. He was at Glenbrook North.” This story went viral during last year’s March Madness. The Duke coach acknowledged the praise and even thanked Beverley for putting this story out.

“For me, I take a lot of pride in the city of Chicago, and going wherever there was a game, I’d go there to play,” Scheyer replied. “For (Beverley) to talk about me that way, I’m not sure ‘White Mike’ was the name, but I’ll take it.” Being unafraid to take on challenges is what made him famous in Chicago. And then Scheyer dazzled everyone with his display.

This resilience is what the Bulls need to get back to the glory days. For now, Billy Donovan’s seat may be safe, but that status could change soon.