James White

Visited Nov 2002. Verballed 12/6/02


04/02/04: "The University of Cincinnati knew it was getting a pretty good basketball player when James White decided to transfer from Florida in 2002. Now the Bearcats might be getting a quality track and field athlete in the bargain, too.

White, a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Kensington, Md., contacted assistant track coach Jim Schnur on March 22, the day after the Bearcats lost to Illinois in the NCAA Tournament, and told him he would like to compete in the long jump and high jump. Schnur and head coach Bill Schnier are happy to have him. "I think he has a lot of potential," said Schnier, who's in his 24th year as UC's head track coach.

White, known for his circus slam dunks on the basketball court, has been practicing with the track team since Tuesday and is expected to make his debut next Saturday at the Miami Invitational. "I think he'll add a lot to our track team," Schnier said. "The team members were excited because he was going to be on the team."

White also competed in track and field at Florida, so Schnier wasn't surprised when he expressed an interest in doing the same thing at UC. Schnier said White has cleared 7 feet in the high jump and 24 feet in the long jump. Because of injuries to the Bearcats' top two high jumpers, White is UC's top athlete in that event." - Enquirer.com


11/20/03: "If (football's) Javon Kearse is truly "The Freak," then UC baller James White is freak nasty. White first dunked when he was 12 years old. On a fast break during a middle school AAU game, White took to the air and dropped jaws throughout the crowd with his first slam. "I went crazy," said White. "[The crowd] went crazy. It was great."

That was his first, but definitely not last, taste of above-the-rim basketball. If you haven't heard of him, wait a month.

White is expected to challenge legendary Melvin "The Helicopter" Levett for bragging rights as the most electrifying high flyer to don a Bearcat uniform. He laughs at this suggestion, but his modestly sly smile suggests confidence - he could be that good.

White transferred to UC in January from the University of Florida, where he was one of the top subs, averaging 21 minutes, 6 points and 3 rebounds per game as a freshman. He saw action in all but two games for the 22-9 Gators.

Because of the mid-year transfer, White will be eligible to start playing Dec. 20. Having been with the team for almost a year, though, he has become well acclimated to the Bob Huggins system. "I think it's going to be easy for me to be able to do what I do best when I've got so many good players around me," said White. "I fit in great, especially with the defensive capability of the team."

At 6-foot-7, White can play nearly any position. His height and extraordinary athleticism make this versatile sophomore an explosive offensive weapon.

At guard, he can use his height and leaping ability to dwarf his defender. "I can take them off the dribble and elevate over them," White said.

The former high school sprinter also lacks nothing in quickness. "I've been working on my shooting, defense and ball handling, all the aspects of my game besides just dunking, but that's what everybody knows me for," he said.

White is known for his ability to add some mid-flight spice to dunks from the foul line. He can put it between his legs or go two-handed to the rim from the same takeoff point that Michael Jordan popularized in his prime. "Most people don't see anyone jumping from the foul line period," said White. "Now that people are starting to do it more, I want to do some new stuff with it."

While some traditionalists see the dunk as an unnecessary component of the game, White points to the excitement it can add. "It definitely changes momentum in the game," he said. "Especially in a home setting, you're getting the crowd into it, the team into it; you're getting everybody pumped. And when you're away, it can take the crowd out of it."

White innovated most of his crowd-pleasers as a teenager. In 10th grade, he appeared in the film Ball Above All in a feature dubbed the "Future of Flight".

As a senior at Hargrave Military Academy in the 2000-2001 school year, White played in the McDonald's All-American game and finished second in the dunk contest. "My dad wanted me first to be the best player in my state, the best player in my region, then the best player in the country at my position," White recalled. "It was a great honor that I worked so hard for."

For years, his nickname "Flight" has been a testament to his soaring ability. His style is reminiscent of greats like Dr. J. and Clyde Drexler, two players he praised for their graceful ability to glide to the hoop.

But, like his favorite player during high school, Vince Carter, White is taking the art of dunking into a new arena where he's on the cutting edge of innovation. In fact, he is keeping some of his best moves secret. White said, "I'm saving some for when I hopefully get to the NBA for the dunk contest." - UC News Record


12/31/02: "James White declared himself tired and out of shape Monday night after finishing his first University of Cincinnati basketball practice. "It'll take a week or maybe two to get back into shape and to get my shot back," White said. White, a former McDonald's All-American who transferred to UC after spending his freshman year at Florida, will be eligible to play for the Bearcats after the completion of fall quarter 2003. Until then, he can practice but not travel with UC. White has two-plus years of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-6 swingman, known for his thunderous dunks, averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game last season for coach Billy Donovan at Florida. He left primarily because he was looking for more playing time.

White's first impressions of UC and coach Bob Huggins? "The intensity is a little better (than Florida)," White said. "Every day, you're playing against great players who are going to test you. You have to do more than just shoot jump shots. "(Huggins) wants you to get things right. He emphasizes defense. I like that because that's my game."

UC coaches liked what they saw of White in his first practice. Associate head coach Dan Peters was extremely pleased. "He's got a great feel for the game," Peters said. "He knows what to do with the ball, where to pass it." White said he hasn't played since having Oct.16 surgery on his left knee to remove a cyst and repair a torn meniscus." - Enquirer.com

12/29/02: "Transfer James White was expected to arrive in Cincinnati late Saturday. The transfer from Florida will practice with the team for the first time on Monday. White, a 6-6 swing player from Kensington, Md., averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 30 games as a backup for the Gators last season. He will be eligible to compete at UC next December. - UCBearcats.com

12/28/02: "James White, who is transferring from the University of Florida, said he will move to Cincinnati this weekend. The 6-foot-6 swingman is planning to attend UC's game against Miami University on Saturday night at U.S. Bank Arena and will participate in the team's next practice. White, the former McDonald's All-American, will be eligible to play in mid-December 2003 at the completion of the fall academic quarter." - CincyPost.com

12/6: "White, who is 6-7, 165 pounds, averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds as a freshman with the Gators. He decided to transfer before they opened the season in the Preseason NIT and is planning to enroll at Cincinnati following the first semester. He could begin practicing with the team during the holiday break and would be eligible to compete following the first semester of the 2003-04 school year." - DeCourcy, Sporting News

12/6: "Former Florida guard James White will transfer to Cincinnati, a source close to the process told ESPN.com Friday night. White chose the Bearcats over Missouri. He will be on campus and enrolled in school within two weeks. White will have two-plus seasons of eligibility remaining, assuming he becomes eligible in December 2003. The 6-foot-6 White was one of the most sought-after recruits for Florida two years ago, but struggled as a freshman, scoring 6.1 points a game and shooting only 29 percent on 3-pointers.

White left the Gators prior to this season, but after practice started, and withdrew from school. Going to a school like Cincinnati, which is on the quarter system, will prove beneficial. White will have the winter, spring, summer and fall quarter to get up to the 50 percent level, required for third-year students, as well as earn 24 credit hours before he can become eligible.

Cincinnati has a scholarship available for White, and he will count toward the 2003 recruiting class. The Bearcats are allowed to sign five playes and already picked up two signees in 6-10 Robert Whaley of Barton County (Kan.) College and 6-3 Nick Williams of Chipola (Fla.) JC. Whaley is still a candidate to declare for the NBA draft and is being heavily scouted by NBA personnel. Getting White gives the Bearcats the missing piece for 2003. The Bearcats could put on the court a starting lineup of Field Williams and Tony Bobbitt on the perimeter, paired with White, Whaley and all-Conference USA returnee Jason Maxiell." - ESPN / Katz

12/6/02: "James White, a 6-7 small forward, committed to Bob Huggins' Cincinnati Bearcats on Friday, sources told TheInsidersHoops.com." - http://theinsidershoops.theinsiders.com/

12/2: Former Florida forward James White said today that he enjoyed his recruiting visit to Missouri this weekend but hasn’t reached a decision on his playing future. The 6-foot-7 White said he expects to reach a decision by the end of the week. He has narrowed his choices to Missouri and Cincinnati. "It went well," White said. "I already knew a couple of the guys, but I enjoyed my visit. I liked their style of play. They ran a lot and pushed the ball up the floor, and they really got after it defensively. It’s definitely between Mizzou and Cincy. I’m going to sit down this week and go over each school’s positives and negatives, and I should have a decision by Thursday or Friday." White was rated as a top-10 national recruit out of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., and chose Florida over North Carolina in 2001. The McDonald’s All-American averaged just 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game last season for the Gators. He was granted his release from Florida on Nov 13. "Things never really clicked for me at Florida," White said. "I never really got accustomed to their system, and things just weren’t right from the get-go. You definitely want to play the style of ball that you’re used to playing. You only have a short time in college, so you can’t really change your entire style of play. This time I want to go somewhere where I’m comfortable playing that style of play, somewhere where I can fit in from the start." - Columbia Tribune

11/29/02: "Former Florida forward James "Flight" White is expected to be at MU this weekend for an official recruiting visit and will be at tomorrow’s game. The 6-6 swingman, who left after one season in Gainesville under Gators Coach Billy Donovan, has reportedly narrowed his transfer choices to Missouri and Cincinnati. White was ranked as one of the top players in the class of 2001 by many national recruiting analysts, including PrepStars, which rated him as the No. 10 player in the country. He is an explosive leaper and a versatile scorer, although he only averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game last season at UF.

MU sophomore Najeeb Echols played with White on several all-star teams while the two were in high school and said White is a very athletic swingman who can really get up and down the court in transition and finish on the break. The 2001 McDonald’s All-American has already visited Cincinnati. He would be eligible to play in December of 2003 and will have a 2.5 years of eligibility remaining." - The Columbia Daily Tribune

11/26/02: "James White, a former McDonald's All-American who is looking at transfer options after quitting the University of Florida team earlier this month, will visit Mizzou this weekend. White is believed to have narrowed his choices of schools to MU, Cincinnati and Syracuse. A 6-6, 185-pound guard and forward, White averaged 6.1 points in 30 games for the Gators last season as a freshman. White, who is from Rockville, Md., underwent surgery in October to remove a cyst from his left knee. He also was suspended by the university for three games, the result of an incident in September in which White was charged with firing paintballs at a female student.

If White were to enroll at Missouri in January, he would be eligible to play at the end of the fall semester in December 2003." - St Louis Dispatch

11/24/02: "Some recruiting analysts suggested Cincinnati's pursuit of Florida transfer SF James White would cost the Bearcats prep school SF Mike Pilgrim, a Cincy native who committed in October. Pilgrim, a promising athlete who needs work to develop his game, signed a letter of intent before the fall period closed. White then visited the UC campus for a practice and a game. He is scheduled to see Missouri this weekend and also is thinking about Syracuse." - DeCourcy, Sporting News

11/23: "Florida transfer James White said Friday the University of Cincinnati is currently his first choice as he considers where he'll resume his college basketball career. White, a 6-foot-7 forward and former McDonald's All-American, watched the Bearcats practice at Shoemaker Center. He plans to spend the weekend in Cincinnati, then visit Missouri before making his decision within two weeks. "This is definitely the leader right now," White said. "They've always been the leader. I'm real impressed with the facilities, the coaches and the players, the whole situation. I'm looking forward to being here this weekend and seeing them play and practice."

White was so highly regarded coming out of high school that some recruiting analysts projected him as a player who would play only a year or two before declaring for the NBA draft. But he averaged only 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.5 minutes last year at Florida.

White said he favored UC because of its style of play. "I'm an intense player," he said. "I like their intensity, especially on defense. I like a running, open style of basketball." If White enrolls at UC for winter quarter, which begins in January, he could practice with the Bearcats and be eligible next December at the end of the fall quarter." - Enquirer.com

11/20: "James White, a forward with three years of eligibility remaining, will make an official visit this weekend. White, according to our sources, will visit Cincinnati. The visit is his first since opting to transfer from Florida two weeks ago. Our sources still think Missouri is likely to receive a visit should the Bearcats not capitalize on their opportunity. You can bet the Bearcats will push for a commitment with White on campus." - InsidersReports.com

11/19: "In speaking with former Florida Gator James White, it sounds like he's got a pretty good feel for what he wants in a program the second time around. "I want to play up and down [the court] with man-to-man defense," White said when quizzed about his college preferences. "It's just about getting after it basically."

White said that he's really looking at four schools right now. "I'm going to take a couple of visits. I'll probably go to Cincinnati and Missouri." Syracuse and Indiana are also in the mix.

A veteran of the recruiting process, White let the game come to him this time. "It started first with Cincinnati and then a lot of schools called me and I narrowed it down to schools I was interested in and liked the coaches and the style of play."

White said he didn't know exactly what the date was that he needed to decide by but will enroll at a school prior to the start of the second semester and that date varies from school to school." - http://theinsidershoops.theinsiders.com/



11/15: "Our New York City Editor Ron Naclerio tells us that he talked with James White, who announced that he will transfer from the University of Florida earlier this week, at the Coaches versus Cancer doubleheader last night at Madison Square Garden and it appears that three schools (Missouri, Cincinnati, and Syracuse) are at the top of White's list. We also have heard from other sources that Georgia Tech and Indiana are also involved and that his parents and others advising him what White to take his time and explore all of his options. This is important, because other people seem to think that Cincinnati is the heavy favorite and, as a result, it's only a matter of time before the Bearcats get this one done. If you will recall, White, who was ranked as the #1 5th year player by the HOOP SCOOP two year ago, is a phenomenal athlete who thrives in a uptempo setting, but needs to work on his outside shooting and other perimeter skills. In other words, White is a stereotypical Bobby Huggins type player. We also know that Cincinnati has one more scholarship available and they are looking for the best available player to complement their current recruiting class. . . " - HoopScoop

11/14/02: "before the year is out, the Bearcats could land another highly rated player. James White, a 6-7 forward who averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.5 minutes last year at Florida, has secured his release and announced his intention to transfer to another school. The former McDonald's All-American has contacted the coaching staff about enrolling at UC. If he enrolls in time for the winter quarter, which begins in January, he could be eligible to play for the Bearcats as early as next December, at the end of the fall quarter." - Enquirer.com

11/14: "James White got his release from Florida on Wednesday and the first place it landed was at Cincinnati. That doesn't mean the sophomore guard, who showed up at Madison Square Garden with orange shoes last year, won't wind up at Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Indiana or anywhere else. But the Bearcats might be the best fit for a number of reasons. White played with Curtis Malone's D.C. Assault, the same team that produced former one-year Cincinnati player DerMarr Johnson. The Bearcats have an open scholarship available because Donald Little was banished from the program. They also have one available under the 5/9 scholarship limitation Cincinnati is also on the quarter system, which would allow White four quarters -- winter, spring, summer and fall -- to get eligible by mid-December, 2003. White withdrew from school had needed at least a 2.0 GPA to transfer, must pass 24 credits, and as a third-year player, be 50 percent finished toward his degree. White would need to be a fulltime student in all four quarters to get eligible." - ESPN.com (Katz)

11/13: "It's still early for White.... Some of the schools on White's new list are nothing more than a reflection of the places he liked as a high school prospect, so it'll be interesting to see how it shakes out. A darkhorse candidate for White is Marshall, but we'll see." - Harrington, PrepStars

11/12: "He is expected to land at Cincinnati." - Chris Monter, College Basketball News

11/11: "It has been widely reported that James White is transferring from the University of Florida and it appears that the deciding factor in his decision is competition for playing time. Sure, White averaged 20.5 minutes per game last season, but he only averaged 6.1 ppg and played only 11 minutes in Florida's first round loss to Creighton in the NCAA Tournament last March, plus the Gators recruited right over him in July when they landed 6'8 Christian Drejer. If you will recall, Drejer, who is already enrolled in school and will be eligible this season, was widely regarded as the top non-professional player in Europe, as well as legitimate first round pick in the NBA Draft, if he'd decided to enter his name into the NBA Draft last spring. In other words, White probably has seen the writing on the wall this fall in practice. Remember, this is a guy who as a high school senior had delusions of entering his name into the NBA Draft, but, like so many high school players in his situation, wasn't even good enough to start as a freshman for his college team, except in two games last season. The word on the street is that White is interested in transferring to the University of Cincinnati, which would make perfect sense, because DerMarr Johnson, another former player from the DC Assault club team program, did well while playing for the Bearcats prior to when he went hardship into the NBA Draft two-and-a-half years ago. However, the person who recruited Johnson to Cincinnati was Mick Cronin, who is now an assistant coach at Louisville. Both programs have already landed excellent recruiting classes, but are still looking for the best available player. But as things stand now, this is all speculation, because White hasn't gotten his release yet from the University of Florida and, as a result, can't talk to any other schools at the current time. However, we expect that to change almost immediately, because White is supposed to be granted his release today." - HoopScoop

11/11 "Florida sophomore James White is leaving the school. White, a 6-7 WF and McDonald's All-American in 2001, is a super athlete who will be a major addition wherever he ends up...." - PrepStars.com

11/10/02: "James White told us that he was leaving Florida for Cincy on Tues. We told him he cannot leave until the end of the semester and said Cincy is on a quarter system." - Break-down.com (Florida HS basketball site)

11/10/02: "Sophomore James White quit (the Univ of Florida team) Saturday and plans to transfer, possibly to Cincinnati. White is incredibly talented, but was frequently frustrated during his time at Florida. Most of that frustration was due to lack of playing time as a freshman when White played 20.5 minutes a game. "It was hard to come in the way I did and only play that much," White said earlier this year. "It was something I definitely had to adjust to." - Gator Sports.com (Gainesville Sun)

11/10: "James White of Florida has decided to leave the Gators and transfer to another program, head coach Billy Donovan announced Sunday. "We're disappointed in James' decision to leave the University of Florida, but we wish him nothing but the best," said Donovan. "We certainly hope that his decision to leave will help bring him closer to all of his personal goals."


He has been suspended three times, once for violating team rules last year and twice this season for possessing a paintball gun. White reportedly hit a girl with the gun in a recent incident.

James White, a sophomore, played in 30 of 31 games during his freshmen season a year ago, averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He started two games last season and scored a career-high 18 points in the Gators' 104-100 victory over Tennessee on Jan. 9. White, a McDonald's All-American, finished runner-up in the McDonald's Slam Dunk contest.

He recently underwent surgery to remove a cyst in his left knee. White will sit out the year and will have years seasons of eligibility remaining. Rumors are that he might end up transferring to Cincinnati." - College Basketball News (Monter)



VERBAL TO FLORIDA

Sept 2000: "He was the Rock: the most electrifying athlete in the tournament. He can jump sky-high, flash and dash, and still leads his team by example. He is a natural-born leader with unnatural athleticism. He and Hodge are very similar but he has Vince Carter type hops.

7/14: Best SF at ABCD Camp. - All Star Report

7/10/00: "High flying open court talent comes out of the Dermarr Johnson-Lamar Odom mold. He loves to explode to the hoop and dunk on you or pull up and stick sixteen-footer off the dribble. He is inconsistent from beyond the arc, but has the mechanics, so that will come! He has the ability to post smaller players and score. When inspired is an exceptional passer. He has interest from North Carolina, Maryland, Duke, Florida, Seton Hall, LSU, Georgia Tech, and Miami-FL at this point." - Van Coleman

4/25: "...has learned that WF James White, a prominent member of the Class of 2001, will attend York (PA) Crispus Attucks next season. White attended Kensington (MD) Newport this season and is regarded as one of the elite prospects in a loaded class. - Rivals100Hoops.com

4/14: "Chris Chaney, the Head Coach of Newport Prep and 6'7 WF James White told us that Duke still had a slight lead for his popular forward. White, in the past has stated that "everyone is equal" as far as his list goes. But when prompted the question of whether Duke still led for White (as had been reported in the past) Chaney replied "I'd have to say that assumption is still true". White is highly regarded as one of the top Wing prospects in the nation and has the potential to be a special player at the next level. White plans on picking a school by the end of this summer. - ACC Recruiting Update

4/13: Named the 12th best player in the class of 2001 by Dave Telep of Rivals 100.

3/4/00: Attending the Duke/North Carolina game
3/3/00: "Duke, North Carolina and Maryland are the first three schools mentioned." - ACC Recruiting Update

3/3/00: "...looking at boarding schools like Oak Hill Academy and Maine Central Institute for next year, but not because of poor academics. James holds a 2.9 GPA. 'I need to spend more time in the weight room and in practice'. One of the Top 15 players in the Class of 2001. He's been to college games at Virginia (1), Maryland (4), and Georgetown (2). Also he is an all-state contender in the 200 meters, high jump, long jump, and triple jump." - AllStar Report

1/17/00: "Connecticut, Florida, Seton Hall, Maryland, UCLA, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and CINCINNATI are all in the hunt. - HoopScoop