BASKETBALL – TOM HAYES
IT has been a whirlwind period for Traralgon basketballer Jack White, who has endured quite the journey since winning the NBA Championship last June with the Denver Nuggets.
Despite picking up NBA minutes, which led to the attainment of his championship ring with the Nuggets, White primarily featured in Denver’s G-League affiliate, Grand Rapids Gold.
Following the Nuggets’ first championship, White opted to leave, signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder in July 2023, but was soon moved on, waived during the final roster cuts in October 2023.
Confirming his exit, White was then put into a pool of players hoping to be picked up during the 2023 G League Draft, which took place six days after his contract was waived at the Thunder.
During the draft, White was selected with Pick No. 1 by the Texas Legends. His rights were traded away to the South Bay Lakers just hours later, joining the Los Angeles Lakers affiliate team.
Since joining the South Bay Lakers, White has been an integral part of the team.
Already in just seven games for the Lakers, at the time of print, he is averaging 25.1 minutes per game, 8.9 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists, 1 steal and 0.9 blocks per outing so far in the 2023/24 season.
The South Bay Lakers are currently the third seed in the Western Conference, with a record of 10 wins, four losses.
For a team that was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs last season, the improvement for the Lakers is massive.
Unlike his last contract with the Nuggets, White will solely be a G League player this time around, but new contracts can be offered at any time if he exceeds the level of the G League.
At the Nuggets, White was on a two-way contract, meaning he could play NBA minutes, but at this stage there is no chance of White lining up for the Lakers alongside the likes of Lebron James and Anthony Davis.
His acquirement in the G League will only benefit White even more, as he is vying for a spot in the Australian Boomers side that have already qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A number of names are in contention, and it won’t be easy for him to slide into the squad.
As a forward, there are a few household names already better suited than White, with the likes of NBA-listed players Joe Ingles (Orlando Magic), Josh Green – who just signed a three-year, $41 million USD extension with the Dallas Mavericks, and Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail-Blazers).
Also in the pecking order includes 31-year-old Nick Kay, who is currently a free agent that most recently played in the Japan’s top-tier basketball league, and Xavier Cooks, who had a spell at the Washington Wizards in the NBA, but now plays in the Japanese league.
Playing in the G League may give White some favour over the last two mentioned, but nonetheless, he has to perform like a No. 1 draft pick would, to keep impressions high.
