By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
He knew all along what he wanted (to play at the NBA) and he was willing to do whatever was necessary to be there. He trusted his abilities and he tried everything else, but the easy way. All these years he was playing in Europe, helped him to become ready for the NBA and New York Knicks, the team which signed him on July 11. But let’s just leave James White talking about… himself. We had the chance to meet him, after the game for the second day of Las Vegas Summer League (Memphis vs. New York).
After talking and joking with his Italian friends from Scavolini Pesaro (his last of four European teams which were Fenerbahce Ulker from Turkey, Spartak Saint Petersburg from Russia and Dinamo Sassari also from Italy), White answered in light spirit their request to come back someday: “I will play at the NBA for five years and then I will go back”. Of course they wished all the best to him before we ask him if he really thinks he will play again in Europe. “The truth is I would like to go back, when my NBA career is done, but… now I really don’t know. I’m focused on my new team and how I will help my team to become the best. I’ m happy. My hard work has paid off… and I’ m here with Knicks, planning to keep working hard”.
He admitted: “Europe definitely helped me. Helped my game, helped my confidence and helped me to be a better player, to build my character. It wasn’t easy. It was never easy. But then again, if it’s easy you don’t want it. I was in Europe for 3-4 years, I worked hard and I can say it was all worth it”.
We asked him what he doesn’t want to remember of his European experience. He assured us that everything was great: “I really enjoy all my time in Europe. All the time in Europe was fun. Of course, the last two years in Italy, I had a great time. But I wanted to play back home”… and then was when New York Knicks got in the middle. He didn’t want to say something big. He will just keep working “since my wish is to shine! I wish I will have over here, everything I had in Europe. I need to keep playing, keep working the game…”.
If he would have to say something to all these guys who came to Las Vegas Summer League, dreaming they will sign a contract with an NBA team, but they wont get it is “to go overseas. I tell guys all the time. Most of them want to stay home, but it’s a really good experience to play overseas, not just because of the money, but also because of the opportunity to build a career. I tell them its not that bad if you find the right situation”.