Oregon Basketball: Georgetown’s Paul White transfers to Ducks
A forward Georgetown forward is now a new member of the Oregon basketball family.
The Ducks are looking to be a national threat on a yearly basis, and they are already finding reinforcements for the 2017-18 campaign.
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On Wednesday afternoon, Georgetown transfer Paul White announced via Twitter that he has committed to the Oregon Ducks. The forward will sit one year before maintaining two years of eligibility.
University of Oregon will be my new home! Thank you to the whole Oregon family for making me a Duck now. Time to work 😈 #GoDucks 🙌🏽🙌🏽
— Paul White (@pdubbb13) August 31, 2016
The 6’8″, 230 pound forward from Chicago, IL played two seasons at Georgetown. He had a solid freshman campaign as a role player, averaging 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.6 blocks in 18.4 minutes per game. He shot 40 percent from the field and 38 percent from downtown.
In year two, White played in just seven total games before being ruled out for the rest of the season due to a lingering lower abdominal pelvic injury that required surgery.
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White has a versatile game as he is a solid playmaker, can shoot it from the perimeter, is effective in the mid-range and can handle the basketball solidly for someone his size. Even though he needs to continue to develop his toughness/strength in the post and his defensive game, White has experience playing at a high level on the big stage.
With a rotation that features possibly 10-to-11 capable players, White decided that transferring from Georgetown was the best move to maximize the rest of his eligibility. White would’ve been behind Isaac Copeland, Akoy Agau, Marcus Derrickson, Kaleb Johnson and Bradley Hayes in the Hoyas’ front court. That would’ve likely resulted in him playing fewer than 15 minutes a night.
The former Hoya now has the opportunity to adjust to Oregon’s scheme and culture for a year, before finding himself playing a key role next year if he can remain healthy.
Chris Boucher is graduating, Dillon Brooks could declare for the NBA following this upcoming season and Roman Sorkin, Kavell Bigby-Williams and Jordan Bell are all juniors, so White is projected to provide some flexibility up front through the 2018-19 season.
While White is a solid addition, Oregon could benefit from adding another big or two on the recruiting trail in 2017 or 2018.
Why? Because White’s situation is not exactly clear cut.
How will he play after not participating in a live game for two years? Is there a possibility that his game has suffered? Will he re-injure himself?
We are not saying that this is a risky move, as this is an acquisition that is more likely to result in more rewards than downfalls. But the Ducks would benefit from finding a backup option just in case.
Next: Indiana off-season questions
Overall, Oregon has to be pleased with not only their versatile, experienced 2016-17 roster, but their future. They are a hot destination and Altman can only hope that this will continue as they fill out the roster.