James White, Mahindra’s rookie import, adjusts to life as go-to player

MANILA, Philippines – In his first pro stint after college, the athletic and teenage-looking James White is fast learning that life as an import entails many adjustments – including getting used to being the go-to guy of locals.

And he is happily welcoming the environment.

“Just from previous years, I just understood the roles I needed to do. And now coming into this role I understand what I need to do to help the team win,” White said of his adjustment from role player to primary option in the PBA.

“I think I’m excelling in that and I just have to keep learning from the players on how to lead them on the court and off the court.”

The 6-foot-8 big man is in the process of learning to seize moments and take over as needed with the help of the Mahindra coaching staff, who designed drills where he is specifically instructed not to pass the ball.

“We had a drill with coach (Joe) Lipa that – just to build his killer mentality – where he had the disadvantage and we told him don’t pass the ball no more,” explained head coach Chris Gavina.

“So I think he’s starting to realize he can do it and that confidence is just growing every single day in practice and every single game.”

White, who played 14.5 minutes a game and averaged 3.5 points and 4.4 rebounds this past season in the NCAA, admitted his new role did not sink in quickly.

“At first [I was surprised], like I told coach before, that’s not in my nature. I’m a pass-first type of player but whatever the defense gives me that’s the main option for me,” White said.

“With the coach, the scenario that he runs is he goes to the person that’s productive on the floor. Doesn’t matter if I’m scoring, he’s going to go to other people that’s going to contribute to the offense,” he added.

“I think that’s just the confidence he has in us, having confidence in knowing that if we run the play it’s going to be to a T and we’ll execute it.”

White led the way for Mahindra in a victory over Globalport Wednesday night with 28 points, 20 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks. Though he also recorded 7 turnovers.

He poured in 12 points in the final quarter as Mahindra finished the match on a decisive 14-6 run in the last 3 and a half minutes to pull away from a precarious two-point lead.

White, who will turn 23 years old on the 26th and is the youngest import in age and experience this conference, is fresh off his college basketball career with Georgia Tech and went undrafted in last month’s NBA Draft.

He promptly stamped his class in his first PBA game, a hard-earned overtime victory over Star, with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and a block in 36 minutes.

If his high-flying style, speed, and smarts are any indication, the future remains wide open for him.

“James is just scratching the bottom of the barrel right now, he doesn’t even realize how good he can be. I think he’s beginning to realize it,” Gavina said.

That confidence from the Mahindra coaching staff is fueling White, who has led the team so far to its best two-game start in its young PBA history.

“I think it’s kind of different but for me it’s just the confidence I have in myself, the confidence that coaches give me, it’s just another game that I’m playing,” White said.

“Just having fun, going through the flow of the game, so it doesn’t matter which role I’m playing. I’m just going to excel at anything I do.” – Rappler.com