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Former Michigan State basketball star Denzel Valentine recalled from D-League

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) celebrates on the court against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) celebrates on the court against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Michigan State basketball star Denzel Valentine was recalled from the D-League by the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

What are the Chicago Bulls doing? That’s the question on just about every Bulls fan’s mind this season as players like Rajon Rondo are causing friction in the locker room while promising rookie Denzel Valentine has been given the short end of the stick.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: 7 ideal targets for 2018 football class

The former Spartan guard was sent down to the D-League last week where he played three games with the Windy City Bulls. During that time, he averaged 30.5 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists per game, earning a recall to the NBA squad on Saturday.

Dominating in the D-League is further proof as to why Denzel belongs on the Bulls’ active roster and needs to be given more minutes. Fred Hoiberg isn’t doing the best job with the talent he’s been graced with and that’s the main reason why the Bulls’ locker room is in shambles.

Valentine was drafted No. 14 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft and was expected to be a solid role player in his first season with the Bulls but has not been given the opportunity. He’s averaging just 11.9 points per game in 27 contests played and he’s putting up 3.3 points and 1.6 rebounds.

With Michigan State basketball, he was most effective when handed the reigns of the offense and letting the team trust him with the ball. Although he’s not going to do that as a starter for the Bulls any time soon, he could be a quality sixth man.

Related Story: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for February

Recalling Denzel Valentine was one of the smartest moves the Bulls have made all season long.

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