White Place, White Time for Isaac's Free Agency Experience

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

What a difference a year can make

What a difference a year can make. This time 12 months ago out of contract Tasmania guard Isaac White was searching for an opportunity to continue his career in the NBL with almost no luck. After a stellar NBL23 campaign though, he's a wanted man.

White spent two seasons with the Illawarra Hawks and struggled to break into a deep guard rotation containing the likes of Tyler Harvey, Antonius Cleveland, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Justinian Jessup, and left the club after 55 appearances following a reduction in minutes during his second season.

No new offers were forthcoming until he signed with the JackJumpers as an injury replacement player for Clint Steindl right before the season began. From there White earned a full-time development player spot and became a crucial cog in the side’s rotation – especially when guards Josh Magette and Matt Kenyon suffered injuries late in the season.

The offer from Tasmania truly came at the 11th hour, as the guard was preparing to continue his hoops dream on the other side of the planet.

In four post-season appearances for the the JackJumpers he averaged eight points per game on 54.5 per cent shooting, 2.3 rebounds and one steal.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Isaac White said "I got this"<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel ? <a href="https://t.co/Ggl16ulYnv">pic.twitter.com/Ggl16ulYnv</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1588790744932057090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It’s significantly different to this time last year, in a good way,” White told NBL Media of his free agency experience.

“At this point last year I was maybe talking to one team if that, and it was looking like I was going to get sent to Finland, so it was a tough situation to be in. This time around, obviously nothing official can be done yet but I’ve had interest from four to five plus teams and it’s looking pretty good.

“Hopefully I can come to terms with an agreement with a team where I see myself fitting in and having a significant impact and potentially a longer-term contract.

“That’s something I’m working through at the moment but I’m super excited and grateful to be in a much more favourable position than last year.”

White has started his NBL off-season in the fashion he finished the JackJumpers’ post-season campaign. On fire.

Suiting up for the Mackay Meteors in NBL1 North, White was named as the conference’s Player of the Week for his performance in his undermanned side’s victory against a talented Rockhampton side that featured former Tennessee State star Wesley Harris and New Zealand international Nikau McCullough.

White put in a match-winning performance with 40 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thought Isaac White's first half was good? He finished the win over Rockhampton with a mind-boggling 4??0?? points ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1North?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1North</a> via <a href="https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG">https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG</a> or the NBL1 App ? & ? <a href="https://t.co/Fu92G98shX">pic.twitter.com/Fu92G98shX</a></p>— NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1639242824108630016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He says while he’s hoping performances like last week’s will help further push his case with interested NBL sides, he’s backing the work he’s done with the JackJumpers to help him earn a new contract.

“NBL1 North is, in my opinion, one of the strongest – if not the strongest – NBL1 conferences, and night in, night out you’re going against other NBL talent,” White said.

“It’s got to a stage where the competition is at such a high level that scouts and coaches from the NBL can watch it and see it as legitimate and make assessments based on that. Performances like I had on the weekend are only going to help me, but at the same time I think a lot of weight will be coming from my previous NBL season, so I’m not trying to put too much pressure on myself.

“I’m trying to invest in the guys around me, get some wins, and trust my work up until this point will carry me to where I need to be.”

Should White leave the JackJumpers though, it’s obvious the club will continue to hold a special place in his heart.

When asked about White’s contract situation in recent days, Tasmania head coach Scott Roth stated if players like White can’t continue with the JackJumpers, the club will have done it’s job if it helps them get better jobs elsewhere in the competition.

White’s performances over NBL23 have almost personified the JackJumpers’ brand of basketball. All heart, all grit, all love, and plenty of talent.

“I am extremely grateful for my experience in Tasmania. I was so close to getting sent overseas to a situation I wasn’t necessarily happy with and Scott Roth reached out and gave me an opportunity that no other teams would,” White reflected.

“From that I put in the work and made the most of that opportunity, but that was a situation where it could have gone really poorly for myself. I was given opportunity when I deserved it, I’ve been surrounded by teammates who fostered the environment where when your name is called it’s all engines go, and I could go and be myself and try to make a name for myself on that stage, and I think I did.

“If I do end up on a different team Tasmania has been a huge part of that and I’d be forever thankful for the platform they provided me with and all the love I’ve received from my teammates and the coaching staff.

“That team and that place has a special spot in my heart.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The 2022/23 Tasmania JackJumpers Players’ Award winner is Isaac White <a href="https://t.co/3CFqWxj9Nc">pic.twitter.com/3CFqWxj9Nc</a></p>— Tasmania JackJumpers ? (@JackJumpers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers/status/1629420170237345794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NBL Free Agency officially opens on March 30. You can view the list of free agents here.

White and the Meteors take on the Townsville Heat in the upcoming round of NBL1 North action.

You can catch the game on nbl1.com.au or live on the NBL1 app on Friday, March 31 at 8:30pm AEST.