BIO: Jackson Thomas White was born in Traralgon (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Traralgon basketball program. White received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2015. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2015, 2016).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jack White made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 18 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

In 2016, he was called up to play for the Cairns Taipans of the NBL as an injury replacement before moving to the USA to play for Duke University.

In 2020, Jack White joined Melbourne United after playing for Duke University in the USA. United had mutually agreed to terminate Casey Prather’s contract due to ongoing injuries and adjusted their roster by adding White and Japanese star Yudai Baba (one-year deal) under the NBL Special Restricted Player contract. The team also re-signed captain Chris Goulding (three-year deal), David Barlow (one-year deal), Mason Peatling (three-year deal), and Sam McDaniel (one-year deal). Relying on local talent, United signed Scotty Hopson (via Europe) as their lone import and secured Australian Boomers forward Jock Landale (one-year deal) shortly before the season tip-off, after his contract in Lithuania was voided due to COVID travel restrictions.

During the first month of the season, White emerged as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year, averaging 9.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Cairns. With White requiring 12 months of rehabilitation, retired center David Andersen was signed as an injury replacement player.

Another setback occurred when Chris Goulding (15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2 assists) was ruled out for most of February 2021. Despite the injuries, Jock Landale (16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks) led Melbourne in scoring, and the team finished the regular season in first place with a 28–8 record.

In the semifinals against the South East Melbourne Phoenix, the two Melbourne teams split the first two games played at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena due to the Victorian lockdown. Returning to Melbourne for the deciding Game 3, United overcame a 17-point deficit to win 84–74. Landale equaled his season-high with 27 points, shooting 11-13 from the floor and a perfect 3/3 from beyond the arc. Goulding (14 points) notched up his 350th game, while Mitch McCarron (11 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), Scotty Hopson (9 points and 6 rebounds), and Jo Lual-Acuil (8 points and 3 rebounds) all contributed significantly.

Due to Western Australia’s border restrictions, the Perth Wildcats hosted the first two games of the Grand Final series. United won both games in Perth and returned to Melbourne to clinch the championship with an 81–76 victory in Game 3, in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,000 at John Cain Arena (the maximum allowed under COVID restrictions). Landale continued to impress with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, earning the Finals MVP award.

2021/22
After winning the 2021 championship, Melbourne lost its leading scorer Jock Landale to an NBA opportunity with San Antonio and starting point guard Mitch McCarron, who became the league’s highest-paid local player by signing a three-year deal with Adelaide. United quickly turned their attention to rebuilding the roster for the NBL22 season, re-signing Jo Lual-Acuil, David Barlow, and Shea Ili, and received a boost from the return of Jack White, who had missed the second half of the previous season due to an Achilles injury. They added free agents Brad Newley (via Sydney) and Dion Prewster, who had just won the NZNBL MVP award. Next, United secured the biggest free agent of the year, inking NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova to a three-year deal. Lastly, Caleb Agada, who had just played for Nigeria at the Olympics, replaced import Scotty Hopson, and talented young German Ariel Hukporti was added to the roster under the Next Stars program.

Outside of a 0–2 start, United were dominant all season, winning their next three games to end December and then losing only one game (5–1) in January while playing all of their games on the road. In January 2022, Goulding reached 5,000 NBL points, becoming just the second active player to reach the milestone behind Daniel Johnson (Adelaide).

In February, United won four of their five games and, with a record of 12–4, sat atop the NBL ladder where they stayed for the remainder of the season. Jo Lual-Acuil (16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks) led the team in scoring and earned selection to the All-NBL First Team, while Chris Goulding (15.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) was named to the All-NBL Second Team. The impact of Shea Ili (8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.4 steals) off the bench was also recognized around the league with him winning the Sixth Man of the Year award. White appeared in 26 games, averaging 9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, helping United finish the regular season in first place (20–8).

Tasmania finished fourth on the ladder in their first NBL season, setting up a semifinal series against United. As expected, United defeated the JackJumpers in Game 1 (74–63), but playing their first game of playoff basketball at home, Tasmania leveled the series (1-1) with a win in Game 2. Heading into the deciding Game 3, captain Goulding was deemed unfit to play, which allowed Tasmania to clamp down on the defensive end. Without Goulding, United couldn’t buy a basket from outside, with Dellavedova (1-7), Agada (0-7), White (0-5), and Baba (0-2) shooting a combined 1-21 from beyond the arc. Overall, United went 6-29 (20 percent) from three, compared to the JackJumpers’ 10-32 (31 percent). Still, United were able to keep it close, but it was only in the final moments that Tasmania secured the victory (76–73), ending Melbourne’s playoff run and making history by reaching the Grand Final in their debut season.

White’s best performance this season came during a loss to Adelaide (83–90), where he shot 8/14 from the field and finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals.

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2024/25
On 15 May 2024, Jack White signed a two-year deal with Melbourne United, returning to the franchise for a second stint after spending time with the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Melbourne were facing a season of rebuilding after losing Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (to China), Luke Travers (to Cleveland Cavaliers), Ariel Hukporti (to New York Knicks, and Brad Newley (retired).

Alongside White, import Marcus Lee (via Tasmania) was added to complement the returning core of Chris Goulding, Matthew Dellavedova, Shea Ili, Ian Clark, Robert Loe, Flynn Cameron, Tanner Krebs, and Kyle Bowen.

Jack White (13.8 points, and 9.4 rebounds across 27 games) returned from the NBA and immediately added size, energy, and rebounding to United’s frontcourt rotation, giving Dean Vickerman a versatile big who could run the floor and defend multiple positions. United opened the season at HoopsFest with an 88–79 win over Tasmania as Matthew Dellavedova (21 points) led the scoring, Shea Ili (14 points) and White (14 points, and 7 rebounds) set the tone early, and Milton Doyle (23 points) paced the JackJumpers in defeat.

As the first half unfolded, White delivered one of his strongest games in Brisbane when United won 120–103 behind Robert Loe (30 points) and White (17 points, and 17 rebounds). White produced another marquee performance in Perth on January 22, finishing with 26 points and 16 rebounds in a 99–93 win over the Wildcats as United’s frontcourt pressure and second-chance work helped secure a key road result.

Across the regular season, White’s rebounding and rim-running complemented Goulding (18.4 points, and 2 rebounds), Ili (11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists), Dellavedova (10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists), Clark (12.7 points), and Loe (10 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2 assists), with Marcus Lee (6.7 points, and 5.5 rebounds) providing interior defence. United finished the regular season in second place (19–10) to secure a semi-final series against Perth.

Melbourne opened the semi-final series at home with a 105–93 win as Chris Goulding (41 points) carried the scoring load, Dellavedova (23 points, and 7 assists) controlled the game, White (13 points, and 10 rebounds) added second-chance pressure, and Keanu Pinder (24 points) led Perth’s offence in defeat.

Perth levelled the series in Game 2 with a 96–89 win behind Dylan Windler (27 points, and 11 rebounds), Bryce Cotton (18 points), and Kristian Doolittle (17 points, and 9 rebounds), while White (13 points, and 6 rebounds) and Dellavedova (13 points, and 12 assists) led United in defeat.

Game 3 went to the wire and Melbourne advanced with a 113–112 win as Ian Clark (25 points), Chris Goulding (23 points), and White (15 points, and 9 rebounds) answered Perth’s late push led by Bryce Cotton (29 points) and Dylan Windler (25 points, and 10 rebounds).

In the Championship Series, Melbourne took Game 1 (96–88) as Dellavedova (18 points), Goulding (15 points), and Marcus Lee (14 points, and 15 rebounds) powered the win, while White (9 points, and 9 rebounds) worked through the contest and Sam Froling (16 points), Will Hickey (14 points, and 8 assists), and Todd Blanchfield (13 points) led Illawarra in defeat.

Illawarra responded in Game 2 with a 102–100 win to level the series as Tyler Harvey (24 points), Sam Froling (23 points), and Trey Kell (18 points) swung momentum back to the Hawks, while Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points), and Dellavedova (14 points) kept United within one possession to the finish and White (6 rebounds) was held scoreless on the night.

Melbourne regained control in Game 3 with an 83–77 win to move one victory from the championship behind White (20 points, and 5 rebounds), Dellavedova (16 points), and Clark (16 points), with Goulding (14 points) also in the scoring mix, while Hyunjung Lee (12 points), Hickey (12 points), and Darius Days (11 points) paced Illawarra in Wollongong.

Illawarra extended the series in Game 4 with an 80–71 win as Hickey (22 points), Lachlan Olbrich (13 points), and Harvey (12 points) carried the Hawks, with Froling leaving early with a calf injury and not returning for the remainder of the series, while Goulding (17 points), Dellavedova (17 points), Clark (16 points), and White (6 points, and 4 rebounds) led Melbourne in defeat.

Game 5 decided the championship and Illawarra closed the series with a 114–104 win as Kell (26 points), Hickey (21 points), and Harvey (16 points) led the Hawks to their second NBL championship, while Goulding (21 points), Ili (20 points), and White (17 points, and 7 rebounds) were best for Melbourne in the loss as United finished NBL25 runners-up after dropping the series 3–2.

2024/25
Melbourne were forced to rebuild their frontcourt after losing Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (to China), Luke Travers (to Cleveland Cavaliers), Ariel Hukporti (to New York Knicks), and Brad Newley (retired) from the side that had come within one win of a championship the year prior.

Jack White (via Denver Nuggets) returned for a second stint with the club, to cover Traver’s NBA exit and import Marcus Lee (via Tasmania) was recruited to help replace Lual-Acuil’s interior presence and rim protection.

Coach Dean Vickerman again built around the returning core of Chris Goulding, Matthew Dellavedova, and Shea Ili, with Ian Clark, Robert Loe, Flynn Cameron, Tanner Krebs, and Kyle Bowen also returning to round out the rotation.

Ili paired with Dellavedova to run the team offence and apply defensive pressure to opposition guards. United opened the season at HoopsFest with an 88–79 win over Tasmania as Matthew Dellavedova (21 points) led the scoring, Shea Ili (14 points, and 2 steals) set the tone defensively, and Jack White (14 points, and 7 rebounds) made an immediate impact, while Milton Doyle (23 points) paced the JackJumpers in defeat.

That opening result set the tone for an early stretch where Melbourne stacked wins and stayed locked into the top end of the ladder.

Ili (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists) produced one of his most complete all-round performances of the regular season, securing a early road win over Perth. Ian Clark (25 points) finished as the game high scorer, many of his baskets coming from Ili’s finely timed passes.

In November, when Goulding exploded for 46 points in a win against Perth (106-97), Ili (5 points) and his impact showed in the box score as he finished with 7 assists, most of those going to Goulding, as well as 5 rebounds and 5 steals.

Another strong performance came during a loss to Brisbane on December 8 (114-122), United were missing star Chris Goulding and in his absence would see Ili (18 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals) step up and deliver one of his best games of the season. The following week, against South East Melbourne, Ili (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) blended creation with on-ball pressure as United continued stacking wins through the middle of the schedule.

His best scoring games came in Sydney on January 9 when he poured in (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and against Tasmania on February 1, where Ili (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) steered United to a two point victory (94-92) just before heading into the playoffs.

Ili (11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 26 games), would complement leading scorers Goulding (18.4 points, and 2 rebounds), White (13.8 points, and 9.4 rebounds) and Clark (12.7 points) with his passing, while pairing with Dellavedova (10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists), to create the most formidable defensive backcourt in the league.

United finished the regular season in second place (19–10), setting up a semi-final series against Perth.

Melbourne opened the semi-final series at home with a 105–93 win as Chris Goulding (41 points) drove the scoring, Jack White (13 points, and 10 rebounds) controlled the glass, Matthew Dellavedova (6 points, and 9 assists) ran the offence, and Shea Ili (3 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) kept the ball moving, while Keanu Pinder (24 points) led Perth in defeat.

Perth levelled the match-up in Game 2 with a 96–89 win as Dylan Windler (27 points, and 11 rebounds), Bryce Cotton (18 points), and Kristian Doolittle (17 points, and 9 rebounds) swung the series back, while Melbourne’s response featured Dellavedova (13 points, and 12 assists), White (13 points, and 6 rebounds), Goulding (15 points), and Ili (8 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists).

Game 3 went to the wire and Melbourne advanced with a 113–112 win as Ian Clark (38 points) and Chris Goulding (30 points) carried the offence, with Dellavedova (10 points, and 11 assists) and White (15 points, and 9 rebounds) helping steady the finish as Ili (5 points, and 2 steals) battled through the decider against Perth’s late push led by Bryce Cotton (29 points) and Dylan Windler (25 points, and 10 rebounds).

In the Championship Series against Illawarra, Melbourne overturned a 10-point half-time deficit in Game 1 to win 96–88 as Dellavedova (18 points), Goulding (15 points), Marcus Lee (14 points), and Ili (13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) powered the second half, while Sam Froling (16 points), Will Hickey (14 points), and Todd Blanchfield (13 points) led the Hawks in defeat.

Illawarra squared the series in Game 2 with a 102–100 win as Tyler Harvey (24 points), Froling (23 points), and Trey Kell (18 points) kept the Hawks on the front foot, while Ian Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points), and Dellavedova (14 points) kept United within one possession and Ili (4 rebounds, and 2 assists) was held scoreless on the night.

Melbourne moved within one win of the title in Game 3 with an 83–77 victory behind White (20 points), Dellavedova (16 points), Clark (16 points), and Goulding (14 points), while Ili did not play as Hyunjung Lee (12 points), Hickey (12 points), and Darius Days (11 points) led Illawarra in Wollongong.

Illawarra extended the series in Game 4 with an 80–71 win as Hickey (22 points), Lachlan Olbrich (13 points), and Harvey (12 points) carried the Hawks, with Froling leaving early with a calf injury and not returning for the remainder of the series, while Goulding (17 points), Dellavedova (17 points), Clark (16 points), and White (6 points, and 4 rebounds) led Melbourne and Ili again did not play.

Game 5 decided the championship and Illawarra closed the series with a 114–104 win as Kell (26 points), Hickey (21 points), and Harvey (16 points) led the Hawks to their second NBL championship, while Ili returned and finished with (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) alongside Goulding (21 points) and White (17 points, and 7 rebounds) as Melbourne finished NBL25 runners-up after dropping the series 3–2.

Jack White played four seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Cairns Taipans and the Melbourne United. He averaged 10.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 66 NBL games.