will DJ white play this season?

drewfogarty · Post #1 » by **drewfogarty** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:48 am

Just wondering if White will play this season. Does anyone have any info?

he was targeted for a late February return. it would be nice to see what he brings at this level before the draft.

wiff · Post #2 » by **wiff** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:04 am

I was wondering the same thing.

Clangus · Post #3 » by **Clangus** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:34 am

aparently he is a regular at the pregame shootarounds, but doesn't lokk like he'll be play this year.

Clangus · Post #4 » by **Clangus** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:15 am

This is from okcthunderfans forums

"This is from Darnell Mayberry from the oklahoman about DJ White

Forward D.J. White has been cleared by team doctors to participate in full-contact practices and play in games. With 15 games remaining on the season, however, it’s unclear if White will make his debut this year or if Thunder officials will hold him out of games until 2009-10.
White, the 29th overall pick in last year’s draft, has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery to repair a benign growth in his jaw. White underwent the first of two surgeries this season on Oct. 13 to remove the growth in his jaw. Doctors performed a second surgery on Jan. 4 to take a bone graft from the right side of his hip and mend the bone in his jaw. He had a routine check up Monday and received news that he has recovered enough to resume all basketball activities.
White still has visible swelling on the left side of his jaw but has been an active member of light practices and shoot-around sessions, doing everything but full-contact drills. Whenever White takes the court, he is expected to add depth to the Thunder’s frontcourt with interior toughness, a knack for rebounding and a polished offensive game that includes a consistent jump hook from the left block and shooting range out to 17 feet.
“He’s very athletic and he’s very active, especially on the boards,” said rookie Russell Westbrook, who teamed with White during the Orlando Summer League last July. “He can score and bring people out to the elbow. He’s going to be a good asset for us, especially rebounding and blocking shots.”
White earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors as a senior at Indiana in 2008 and was a Second-Team All-American. He averaged 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 33 games for the Hoosiers last season.
-DM-"

Joel Embust · Post #5 » by **Joel Embust** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:26 am

I hope he can become a Paul Millsap, Leon Powe, Jason Maxiell type of player for the Thunder.

Clangus · Post #6 » by **Clangus** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:28 am

he's been relegated to the D League Tulsa 66er's

Post #7 » by **wizkid27** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 4:30 am

They said on the Thunder broadcast that he's already with the Tulsa team this evening. They have games Saturday and Sunday this weekend, so I may keep my eyes open for the box scores from those... it'd be nice to see him get some good minutes and confidence in the D-league even if he won't play in the big time this season.

wiff · Post #8 » by **wiff** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:21 pm

Maybe the guy will become a Nick Collison type player and Presti can trade Nick for a quality shooter.

Clangus · Post #9 » by **Clangus** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:45 pm

he had 15 pts 10 rebs 1 blk in last nights game - he played 32 mins

His timing was obiously off as he had 5to and 4 fouls.

Good start for his first game of the season.

big L · Post #10 » by **big L** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:12 pm

Looks like he just got recalled. Maybe we'll see him in action?

Post #11 » by **wizkid27** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:06 am

I would think so. Hopefully we have another Timberwolves-like blowout soon so he can get on the court. The guy is obviously at least decently healthy, because he put up some solid numbers in the D-League. Not saying that predicts NBA success, but he's at least well enough to play some ball.

fdefore · Post #12 » by **fdefore** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:57 pm

Pacer fan here... I'm interested to see what he can do at the next level too (IU fan as well). I wouldn't expect Paul Millsap (at least THIS season's breakout Millsap) because a lot of his points at IU came from overpowering players. When he faced bigger players (like Thabeet) he could hold his own but was held more in check as a scorer. He is a good defender (especially help-side) and given his long wingspan will definitely block some shots. His jumper is nice enough.

Ultimately, DJ is a smart kid and is a hard worker. No one faced a more tumultuous time at Indiana than DJ (the freshman promise, the sophomore injury and Mike Davis resignation/Robert Vaden following, working back from injury and the awful Kelvin Sampson/Dan Dakich era) and he handled just about everything with incredible maturity and class. Maybe I underestimate how he'll translate and he'll have a Millsap/Landry breakout, but I always thought his game would end up like early Malik Rose / Leon Powe in the Association which isn't too shabby from a late first rounder.

TheOGJabroni · Post #13 » by **TheOGJabroni** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:09 pm

I loved watching DJ play in college and as a C's fan I think he will have somewhat similar production as Leon Powe. A great hustler who is relentless and will get to the line at will against other team's benches.

If he gives you that, I think you will be very happy with his production when he's ready to go.