Feb. 29, 2016
THE FLATS – Senior forward James White, from Jonesboro, Ga., graduated last summer from Arkansas-Little Rock after averaging in double figures and averaging better than six rebounds for two season. He has played in every game this season, starting 11, has been part of a strong four-man post-rotation for the Yellow Jackets and produced two double-doubles. He has more than 800 career points and 500 career rebounds.
What was the biggest adjustment you had to make in your transition from Arkansas Little-Rock to Power 5 competition?
“For me, it’s just the level of competition. In the Sun Belt you still have great competition, but in the ACC you’re playing against some of the best players in the country every day, night in and night out. So that’s been one of the biggest transitions for me.”
Which trip did you enjoy more: The Brooklyn trip or the Bahamas trip, and why?
“I wasn’t able to make the Bahamas trip, so I’d say the Brooklyn trip because I was able to spend time with my teammates.”
What else did you like about the Brooklyn trip?
“The Brooklyn trip was my first time in New York, so that was one thing I liked. I visited the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time, so I enjoyed everything about it.”
Why have you chosen to work on a Master’s degree in Building Construction, and what are your career goals?
“I have a vision of building a sports academy similar to Suwanee Sports Academy. I’m just wanting to understand the blueprints and how to run a building from a management side of things. That’s one of the main reasons why I chose Building Construction.”
What area of your game has improved the most since your arrival at Georgia Tech, and why?
“I think one of the biggest things that improved is just being an effort guy on both ends of the floor. Back at Arkansas-Little Rock, they would really just depend on me scoring the ball more than anything, but now they depend on me defending every position on the floor, scoring the ball and rebounding. I think, for me, it’s just holding myself accountable to be a high-energy guy, and coming off the bench or being a starter, I just have fun and make plays for the team.”
Your sister played basketball at LSU and Duke. Did growing up with a sister who is also talented on the basketball court help you in your development as a player? Has it made you more competitive?
“Absolutely. Sometimes when I would go to my sister’s games, they would have double-headers, so I was able to catch Shane Battier and Mike Dunleavy. So that gave me goals of playing at the next level. Just going against her everyday gave me more confidence that if I learn and just listen to everybody, I can get to where I want to be in life.”
