Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self still has four spots to fill, and he might be looking at a productive guard who might come with a lot of baggage. Reports are floating around the internet (always a murky place) that KU might be interested in shooting guard James White.
White is well-traveled, playing at Ole Miss, UAB, and New Orleans. In 2024-25, he averaged 19.2 points for New Orleans, plus 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He did not play this past season.
Rising Ballers have reported that Kansas is one of several teams that might be looking at White.
James White (@jwdub05) is available in the portal. Averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 42.9% FG, 33.0% 3FG during the 2024-25 season with New Orleans.
— Rising Ballers Network (@dylan_lutey) May 2, 2026
Has interest from Kansas, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Nebraska, LSU, Boise St & many more.pic.twitter.com/tnX18HT6m3
Adding someone with experience and the ability to score and handle the ball might sound like a great idea for a school looking to improve the depth of its roster, but White comes with some controversy.
How is a scorer like James White still available for Kansas and others to recruit?
While White scored 19.2 points a game for New Orleans, he only played in 20 games for the Privateers. White and three teammates were caught up in a gambling scandal. According to The Athletic (subscription required), the other three players were eventually banned from participating in NCAA sporting events for life.
White, on the other hand, was not banned by the NCAA and is eligible to return to play college basketball. Joshua Schulman of SI.com reports that White may have two years of eligibility available to him.
The fact that the NCAA is allowing him to return is a clear indication that he wasn't involved, but that cloud may follow him wherever he may go. If innocent, no one should judge the young man for the misdeeds of others, but it isn't difficult to imagine fans being unforgiving of an easy missed shot or a bad turnover.
One would hope fans will give the young man the benefit of the doubt, but not all fans behave properly. Most KU fans are great, but some can be harsh on social media. The Darryn Peterson injury situation last season is a fresh example.
While it seems White has the skill set to be a key contributor to Kansas, players live under a microscope that is more intense than at most other schools. It isn't a great thing, and most fans are supportive, but not all. Would White be a distraction here? If Self did pull him in, you'd hope fans would take his innocence at face value. Not only has the NCAA cleared him, but evidently so has the government investigation.
Talent-wise, White seems like a good fit and someone who could help the team be better. If KU is recruiting him, Self obviously doesn't think White will be a distraction and that the youngster's troubles are behind him. He would give the Jayhawks another talented scorer and bring more overall depth to the Kansas roster.
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