Jahlil White had 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists in La Salle's win over Stetson on Saturday. (Pic: White IG)
By AARON BRACY
May 14, 2024
Big5Hoops.com
Jahlil White is healthy, motivated and feels like his best basketball is ahead of him.
In one of the more surprising moves this offseason, White announced on Sunday that he was transferring from Temple to La Salle for his final season of college basketball.
A 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward, White averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 86 career games for the Owls, 44 of which were starts. He also battled injuries, including a meniscus tear prior to ever playing a game at Temple and a finger injury that cost him five games last season when he averaged 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds in 26 contests.
The former Wildwood Catholic standout is all good now.
“I’m as healthy as I’ve ever been right now, honestly,” White told Big 5 Hoops on Tuesday night.
There are several factors that went into White’s decision to join the Explorers, including comfortability with the coaching staff, playing in the Atlantic 10, the opportunity he likely will get to play mega minutes and his relationship with some of the current players.
“I just felt most comfortable with that staff,” he said. “Playing in the A-10 is something I’m really looking forward to. La Salle, we’re going to open a lot of eyes this upcoming year.”
Helping put White at ease was the fact that he knew Explorers assistant coach Mark Hueber, who was on head coach Aaron McKie’s staff at Temple when McKie recruited White. He also has a relationship with head coach Fran Dunphy from when Dunphy watched White at Wildwood Catholic.
“They made it feel like home for me,” he said of the staff. “Dunph is an amazing guy. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him. Hall of Fame coach. Who wouldn’t want to play for a Hall of Fame coach? That’s a huge thing for me.”
White also has a long relationship with Daeshon Shepherd, dating to their on-court battles as teens. Shepherd, who averaged 9.6 points and 5.7 rebounds last season, returned to La Salle recently after entering his name in the transfer portal. The pairing of Shepherd and White has the potential to be a rebounding force for the Explorers.
“Both of us can get it and go and push the ball,” White said. “Rebounding is a huge part of the game. Us out there rebounding I think will be a pretty good look.”
White started out rebounding and playing well last season, averaging 8.5 boards per contest and 14 points in 27.8 minutes in the Owls’ first four games before getting injured. He played with his hand wrapped upon his return and had several really good outings, including the 21-point, 15-rebound outburst at Tulane last Feb. 4, but his minutes dipped as the season waned. He played just 15.5 minutes per contest in his last 10 games.
He is looking forward to a fresh start at La Salle.
“I got off to a really good start,” he said. “My injuries kind of held me back. That’s out of my control. It’s definitely a lot more I could have done. I felt like I didn’t really get to show everything like I did in the beginning of the season.
“Being injured, it limits you. I just pray to be as healthy as possible this year to really show the world what I can do.”
White said he will be moving in to La Salle next month and plans to start workouts as soon as possible.
“Go in every day and learn what they have to say as well as being a leader and helping our team grow,” he said of his mentality.
Meantime, he will tidy things up at Temple, where he is grateful the last four years.
“It’s all love to Temple,” he said. “They have shown me nothing but love and positivity, and I feel that way about them. It’s been a great run at Temple. I love all the fans and everyone who has helped me grow throughout my time there. I just appreciate them.”
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Aaron Bracy has been covering Philadelphia sports since 1996. His byline regularly appears on Associated Press stories. Big5Hoops.com is his second website dedicated to Philadelphia college basketball. Follow Bracy on X: @Aaron_Bracy and like his Facebook and Instagram pages.