Hustle Pays: Duke Basketball Alum Earns Full-Time NBA Contract

Jack White has a place in the NBA, something several Duke basketball early departees lack.

Matt Giles | Jul 1, 2023

Hustle Pays: Duke Basketball Alum Earns Full-Time NBA Contract /

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After going undrafted in 2020 following four seasons as a Duke basketball reserve forward, Australia product Jack White spent two years playing for Melbourne United in his home country's National Basketball League. Then last summer, he signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets and played 17 games for them last season.

Now, as a one-time NBA champion — albeit without seeing a minute of action in Denver's playoff run — White has agreed to a two-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the deal on Saturday evening.

And the official Twitter account of the Duke basketball program quickly celebrated the news.

Yoooooo @5jackwhite 💰💰‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/lal2Rvr0D6
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) July 1, 2023

So while a handful of recent one-and-done Blue Devil talents are without a permanent home in the NBA (see: Trevon Duval, Frank Jackson, Cassius Stanley, Jabari Parker), Jack White is living proof that hard work and a positive attitude, becoming a beloved teammate in Denver, can pay off to a surprising degree.

The 6-foot-7 athlete was a mere three-star recruit upon his arrival at Duke in 2016. Then after averaging only 2.7 points and 3.0 rebounds across his Blue Devil career, it came as no shock that he didn't hear his name on draft night.

Sure, Jack White won't be a centerpiece for the Thunder. He probably won't even be part of the team's regular rotation.

Nevertheless, he's getting paid.

Although anything can change with trades and free agency in the coming weeks, the 25-year-old is the only Duke basketball name on the projected 2023-24 Thunder roster.

Oklahoma City finished 40-42 and No. 10 in the Western Conference last season before losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in its second Play-In Tournament outing.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball news.

Published Jul 1, 2023

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.