Tre White’s Journey to Kansas Basketball

By now, everyone is familiar with the tale of Tre White, who committed to Kansas during his sophomore year of high school but only arrived at KU in his final college season after playing at USC, Louisville, and Illinois.

This season will provide multiple opportunities to revisit that story. For example, when White scores his 12th point, he will officially enter the Jayhawks’ 1,000-point club, prompting reflections on whether he ever imagined hitting that milestone at KU.

Moreover, during non-conference home games against teams like UConn and North Carolina, as well as a match against Duke in New York City, he’ll echo the sentiments of previous players, discussing how athletes come to Kansas for these high-profile games.

White describes this upcoming season as a full-circle experience, starting with his attendance at Late Night in the Phog this Friday.

Shortly after his 2019 commitment to KU as a 5-star recruit in the class of 2022, White expressed eagerness to attend Late Night—but that dream never materialized until now. As the new Kansas basketball season gets underway, White is filled with excitement.

“It feels the same, honestly,” he says, drawing parallels to his teenage anticipation in 2019. “I’m thrilled to be entering this vibrant environment filled with talented athletes—it’s like being a kid again.”

Now standing at 6’7″ and 215 pounds, White is poised to start at the 4 position for the Jayhawks. His enthusiasm for Late Night stems from its rich heritage and the atmosphere it promises, making it a can’t-miss event for players and fans alike, despite changes in recruiting strategies at KU over the years.