Duke Basketball Alum Gets Recognition for Surprising Rookie Campaign

Despite going undrafted three years ago, Duke basketball's Jack White has proven his value as a pro.

At no point in Jack White's four-year Duke basketball career did the experts project the Australian forward to earn a spot on an NBA roster one day. While he was an admirable role player and captain for the Blue Devils during his last two years in Durham, he never averaged more than five points or five rebounds in college.

And so it was no surprise he went undrafted following his graduation in 2020.

But after playing a few seasons for Melbourne United in his home country's National Basketball League, he got the opportunity to be on the Denver Nuggets' Summer League roster last year. Then he impressed the franchise enough to land a two-way contract.

Sure, he's not on Denver's active playoff roster as the team prepares to host the Los Angeles Lakers for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. White played only 17 games for the Nuggets in the regular season, averaging 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in 3.9 minutes per outing.

However, the 25-year-old was a star for Denver's G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, averaging 20.9 points and 9.6 rebounds while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 40.9 percent beyond the arc. Those impressive stats led to the following tweeted recognition and highlights on Monday night:

Australian sensation Jack White was a BEAST this year for the @NBAGrandRapids! The @nuggets two-way signee averaged 20.9 PPG and 9.6 RPG, while shooting 54.4% FG during his rookie year in the G. 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/o8KnPxEN8O

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 16, 2023

The Gold and Nuggets retweeted it as another sign of their Jack White appreciation.

One would think that White, always known for his positivity in the locker room, will remain part of the Nuggets organization next season, even if only as a two-way player again.

RELATED: List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

In Denver's last game of the regular season on April 9, White grabbed a career-high eight rebounds while playing a career-high 15 minutes. Afterward, he enjoyed a memorable moment as Nuggets head coach Michael Malone awarded him with defensive-player-of-the-game bling while praising his season-long determination:

First-time DPOG winner: Jack White 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/IzBghCF0Sp

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 9, 2023

Of the 25 Duke basketball products currently on an NBA contract, only Jack White and Brooklyn Nets guard Seth Curry were undrafted.

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