Wearing No. 3 for most of his basketball career, Dailyn Swain will have a different look next season when he takes the court for his rookie campaign with the Chicago Bulls.
Swain wore No. 3 in high school at Columbus Africentric Early College in Ohio. He had it for his first two years in college at Xavier and again last season at Texas, helping the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 for the 12th time in program history.
The 15th overall pick was forced to change his number, with No. 3 currently occupied by Josh Giddey. He said on draft night that he may try to bargain with him for it, but it appears those efforts came up short after ultimately choosing No. 5 with the Bulls.
“I don't think I'll be able to afford a No. 3 from a guy like him," Swain said on June
23. "He definitely deserves it, you know what I mean? He is on his way up in the league, and he has been killing it. I just have to rock a new number. I'm not sure what is available. My guy Rob (Dillingham) is out there. He got 7. I really like 7. I'm going to have to see what is available.”
Swain was the SEC Newcomer of the Year, averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 34.4% from 3-point range. He was the only Power 5 basketball player to lead his team in five different categories (scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, minutes).
The 21-year-old logged four appearances with the Bulls in summer league, averaging 4.2 points, five rebounds and 2.2 assists. He debuted in Las Vegas with seven points, four rebounds and three assists on July 10 in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Bulls were ecstatic to add Swain, as well as fellow first-round pick Caleb Wilson, to the roster next season, their first under coach Tiago Splitter. The organization is eager to see the two players hit the court and help begin to turn things around.
Throughout August, Rookie Wire is looking at every first-round pick and why each player selected their respective jersey number as they make the jump to the NBA
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This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Bulls rookie Dailyn Swain to begin NBA career with fresh jersey number
