Published Jul 21, 2011
Virginia wing having huge summer
Eric Bossi
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Analyst
Last year, Andrew White was faced with a tough decision. He felt that he was ready to head to college and contribute as a member of the class of 2011, but he also knew that taking an extra year in prep school could help him tremendously.
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White decided to take the prep year and now everything is falling into place.
Though he was uncertain at first, his decision to leave his home in Chester, a bit south of Richmond, for The Miller School in Charlottesville, Va., has paid off.
"I really see how the decision has paid off," he said. "I was able to mature physically, work on a few things and get on the AAU circuit. It's paid off in every way. It's been a lot more work and a lot more time but you have to sacrifice to get good things."
Good things have most certainly been coming to White. He always showed glimpses of potential with his 6-foot-6 size, athleticism and ability to make deep jumpers. However, White has recently taken his game to an entirely new level.
White had a big spring with his club squad - Ty White's Team Loaded - then followed that with a fine showing at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. During the early part of the July evaluation period, though, is when White has exploded.
"Everything is just coming together at the right time," White said. "I've put in the work and all of my coaches have set me up well so I can get out there and do my best."
White also goes out of his way to give credit to the coaches, teammates - in particular fellow Team Loaded wings Aaron Bacote and Josh Brown who have both shown Division I potential in more limited minutes because of White's explosion - and family who have helped him along the way.
"I just want to be sure that you can put something in there to thank all of my coaches, people that have helped me and my teammates," said White. "Without all of them this wouldn't be happening."
Exactly what's happened is that White has risen to No. 71 in the 2012 Rivals150 and his climb may not be done. He feels more mature on the floor, has an improved skill level and has done plenty to gain notice.
"Shooting is probably the main thing," said White of what has caught the eyes of coaches and evaluators. "I've been shooting very well from the outside. The transition game, I've been using my left and I'm playing on offense and defense. I've also gotten a lot of attention for my rebounding."
A lot of attention could be an understatement. White has no favorites, but he's already received offers from Louisville, West Virginia, Providence, USF, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Miami, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Memphis, UTEP, Richmond, George Mason, Temple, Missouri, Texas A&M, Utah and BYU among others. More recent entries into his recruitment have included Texas, Kansas and Penn State.
"For a small forward I have a pretty good game," said White. "Most of the coaches are talking to me about coming in and playing the two. I'm a wing player, I'm a pretty solid small forward and with the exception of breaking people down consistently I think I'm a pretty good two-guard on any level."
More recently, White has been given the option by some schools, notably N.C. State, to enroll as a class of 2011 prospect. However, he's planning to remain in the class of 2012 and will start looking to make more ordered sense of things after July finishes.
"After July period is over with I'm going to sit down while I'm still at home and evaluate all of the schools that are recruiting me," said White. "I'll probably take a bunch of unofficial visits during the latter part of the summer and then decide on five schools to visit officially."