Former Ole Miss star and current Bakersfield Jam guard Terrico White is absolutely killing it in the NBA Development League. For some reason, however, NBA teams are not noticing. This is a plea to NBA general managers everywhere to sign Terrico White. He is playing too well not to be given a shot.
For those who do not know, the NBA Development League (commonly referred to as the “D-League”) is the NBA’s minor league system. Unlike minor leagues in other sports, most of the players are free to sign with any team in the NBA, even if they are playing with a team owned by another NBA team.
(Courtesy: http://dleague.nba.com/player/terrico-white/)
White averages nearly 20 points per game on an efficient 49 percent from the field, shoots 42 percent from the 3-point line, rebounds the ball effectively and leads the D-League in turnover rate. That does not tell the whole story. After taking the reigns of the Jam following leading scorer Xavier Munford’s call-up to the Memphis Grizzlies on March 16, White averaged 28.5 points per game while maintaining his absurd efficiency from the field.
If there is anything a team wants from a player, Terrico White has it. As mentioned before, White shoots the ball efficiently and does not turn the ball over. He is willing to adapt to any role, as one can tell from the jump in scoring following his teammate’s call-up. Most of all, White is a freak athlete. Terrico White may be the only player in Ole Miss history who can match Stefan Moody’s athleticism. Seriously, look up some of his dunks on YouTube. They are insane.
The answer may lie in reputation. Terrico White left Ole Miss following his sophomore season and was selected with the 36th-pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately, White sustained a foot injury in his first preseason game, and was later cut by the Pistons before ever logging a minute in the NBA. A reputation of being a “freak athlete” with inconsistent skills followed him, and despite being on the 2011 preseason squad of the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), White was forced to take his talents to Europe.
After putting in work and honing his skills, White now has the consistent jumper that every NBA team desires. Unfortunately, White never had the chance to show it off. While on the Phoenix Suns preseason roster, White didn’t see many minutes to show off his skills. Most of his minutes went to NBA journeyman Sonny Weems, who was cut later that year thanks to poor play. Weems got the roster spot, and White had to find his way from Bakersfield while playing for the Jam. NBA teams are scared to try new things at times. They want guys who are “proven veterans” when trying to fill spots midseason.
Often, that makes situations tough for players like White. He had an unfortunate injury that scared off teams early in his career. Rather than pout, however, White put the necessary hours in the gym to make him an NBA-caliber player. Not to mention, White is only 26 –he can be productive on an NBA team for years to come.
Hopefully, somebody with power over an NBA roster reads this column and realizes White is the no longer the “one-trick pony” freak athlete he was six years ago, and can help a team win basketball games with his ability to space the floor with 3-point shooting, his smart shot selection, athleticism and unprecedented ability to take care of the ball.
There is little time left for an NBA team to reap the benefits of Terrico White this season, however, as he agreed to sign with a team in Israel at the end of the the D-League season in mid-April if he does not get called up. Perhaps an NBA team will take notice and sign him in the next few weeks, but as of now, Terrico White is getting the short end of the stick, and deserves better.
Matt Barnthouse is a junior journalism major from Carmel, Indiana.
