Blue Devil Country

Determined Duke Basketball Alum Skies for Clutch Swat in Thunder Debut

Duke basketball's Jack White is a player who may go scoreless but will help secure a win on defense.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Jack White (Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)
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Chet Holmgren versus Victor Wembanyama. That was the headline battle in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 122-121 preseason home win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. Both were impressive. But former Duke basketball teammates (2018-20) Jack White and Tre Jones left their mark on the contest.

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The 26-year-old White, who inked a two-year contract with the Thunder in July after playing only 17 games for the Denver Nuggets while on a two-way contract last season and spending his first two years out of Duke back home in Australia, did not register a point, rebound, assist, or steal in his seven minutes off the bench.

However, as the official NBA account showed in its posted highlight below, Jack White's perfectly timed leap and thunderous block of Spurs guard Sir'Jabari Rice's layup attempt with 37 seconds left on the clock sparked Oklahoma City's game-saving defensive stand:

It was his second block of the game. All in all, it's not much. Yet, not bad for a guy who went undrafted after averaging only 2.7 points and 3.0 rebounds for his career as a Blue Devil.

Meanwhile, the Spurs' Duke basketball product finished with 12 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal in 21 minutes as a starter. Tre Jones, who went No. 41 overall at the 2020 NBA Draft following two spectacular seasons in Durham, is in his fourth year in San Antonio.

Last season, the 23-year-old Jones posted career-high averages with 12.9 points, 6.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and only 1.6 turnovers per game in his first campaign as a full-time starter.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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