BIO: Terrico Reshard White was born in Memphis, Tennessee (USA) and attended Craigmont High School in Memphis, Tennessee. In his junior year at high school he averaged 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals per game (2006-07). He was named All-Metro, First Team All-State by the Tennessee Writers Association, and was one of the five finalist for The Commercial Appeal’s Player of the Year.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Terrico White made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 28 years of age. He scored 20 points in his first game.

After finishing third with a 16-12 record and being swept 2-0 by Adelaide in the 2018 semifinals, Perth reshaped its roster around its championship core. Matt Knight (retired), JP Tokoto (to Israel), Lucas Walker (to Cairns), Jarrod Kenny (to Cairns) and Dexter Kernich-Drew (to Cairns) departed, while Derek Cooke Jr was not retained. Nick Kay (via Illawarra), Mitch Norton (via Illawarra), Tom Jervis (via Brisbane) and Terrico White (via Seoul SK) joined the Wildcats, while Rhys Vague was elevated from development player to the full roster.

The new import arrived after helping Seoul SK win the Korean Basketball League championship and being named Grand Final MVP. After recommendations from club contacts, Trevor Gleeson met with him in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League and was told, “I’ll bring you one.” Perth completed its roster by signing him on July 27, with Gleeson saying, “The biggest thing for us is he’s a legitimate threat from the three-point line and he knows how to play.”

His first official Wildcats training session was interrupted by a left-knee injury which was initially reported as bone bruising and kept him out of two preseason practice games against Adelaide before he was cleared for the NBL Blitz. Perth later travelled to the United States, suffering a 130-72 loss to the Utah Jazz before producing a much stronger performance in a 96-88 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Perth opened the regular season in Adelaide on October 11, where Terrico (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) made his NBL debut and helped the Wildcats defeat the 36ers 99-91, with Bryce (22 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) and Nick (18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) also prominent, while Daniel Johnson (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block) led Adelaide.

White (17 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games) quickly became Perth’s second scoring option alongside Cotton. His best regular-season scoring game came against Melbourne on October 27, where White (27 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists), Cotton (31 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Brandt (14 points, 20 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the Wildcats to a 101-96 overtime victory, while Chris Goulding (29 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led United.

Perth surged to a 10-1 start despite its growing injury list. White suffered a hamstring injury at training in early November and missed games against Brisbane on November 9, Illawarra on November 11 and Cairns on November 17 before returning against New Zealand on November 23. Captain Martin (5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 28 games) also missed six games with a right calf tear, while Brandt (8 points and 5.5 rebounds across 31 games) missed three games after suffering an ankle injury while playing for the Australian Boomers.

Perth’s strong start unravelled as the injuries mounted, and on January 17 White (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) was the Wildcats’ leading scorer as Adelaide defeated Perth 97-84. Brandt (11 points and 2 rebounds) and Cotton (10 points, 5 assists, and 1 rebound) were the only other Wildcats to reach double figures, while Demitrius Conger (18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Johnson (17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led Adelaide. The defeat was Perth’s eighth in ten games after its 10-1 start and dropped the Wildcats to 12-9.

Despite calls for the Wildcats to add a third import and criticism surrounding White’s consistency, Gleeson backed the existing roster. Perth responded by winning its next six games, including a February 1 meeting with Illawarra where White (26 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal) and Kay (17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led the Wildcats to a 104-90 victory, while Brian Conklin (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks.

Cotton (21.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 31 games) led the NBL in scoring, while Kay (14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 34 games) produced a career-best season. Norton (8.3 points across 27 games), Steindl (6.9 points across 34 games) and Wagstaff (5.6 points across 34 games) provided further support alongside Brandt and Martin. Cotton finished third in the NBL MVP voting behind Casper Ware and winner Andrew Bogut, while Cotton and Kay were both selected to the All-NBL First Team.

White was also managing a left-wrist injury late in the regular season, sitting out training before continuing to play with a large protective guard on his arm. He re-injured the wrist diving for a loose ball two days before Perth’s regular-season finale and was rested against Melbourne on February 17, his fourth and final missed regular-season game after the three games lost to the hamstring injury. Kay (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals), Wagstaff (12 points) and Cotton (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth, while DJ Kennedy (21 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block) powered Melbourne to an 81-70 overtime win. Despite the loss, Perth finished first with an 18-10 record and secured its 33rd consecutive postseason appearance. After the championship, the Wildcats also revealed White had dealt with a fractured left knee at one stage during the season and that the wrist injury was more serious than had been publicly known, requiring him to continue protecting the arm during the finals.

Perth opened its semifinal series against Brisbane at RAC Arena, where Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), White (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Kay (18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led the Wildcats to an 89-59 victory. Cameron Gliddon (18 points and 4 rebounds), Matt Hodgson (10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Lamar Patterson (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) were Brisbane’s main contributors as Perth held the Bullets to only 19 second-half points.

Game two moved to Brisbane, where White (24 points and 3 rebounds), Cotton (19 points and 10 assists) and Kay (16 points, 15 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Perth to an 84-79 victory and completed the semifinal sweep. Patterson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), Hodgson (15 points and 2 blocks) and Cameron Bairstow (12 points and 7 rebounds) led Brisbane as Perth advanced to the Grand Final against defending champion Melbourne.

The Grand Final opened at RAC Arena, where White (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth’s scoring, while Brandt (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Cotton (10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) helped the Wildcats defeat Melbourne 81-71. Casper Ware (19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Goulding (15 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led United as Perth took a 1-0 series lead.

Melbourne responded in game two with a 92-74 victory. Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), White (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kay (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Perth, while Goulding (14 points), Ware (14 points), Kennedy (12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and David Barlow (11 points and 6 rebounds) helped United level the series 1-1.

White’s best game of the season came when the series returned to Perth for game three. White (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) made 10-of-16 shots and seven of his ten three-point attempts, with his seven three-pointers equalling Cotton and Marcus Timmons for the most by a Wildcat in a Grand Final game. “When I’m feeling it, I feel like the basket is a big trash can,” he said after scoring 17 points in the third quarter. Cotton (16 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) helped Perth overwhelm Melbourne 96-67, while Kennedy (13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Barlow (13 points and 5 rebounds) led United as the Wildcats moved ahead 2-1.

Game four returned to Melbourne Arena, where Cotton (28 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals), White (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Perth, while Ware (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Barlow (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne. “Play-offs is money time. That’s what I call it,” White said after completing a Grand Final series in which he averaged 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists and was awarded the Larry Sengstock Medal, giving him Grand Final MVP honours in consecutive seasons across the Korean Basketball League and NBL. Gleeson became the first coach to win four NBL championships with the same club, while Martin and Wagstaff became the first players to win five championships with the same club as Perth defeated Melbourne 97-84, won the series 3-1 and claimed its ninth NBL championship.

2019/20
After defeating Melbourne United 3-1 in the 2019 Grand Final to claim their ninth NBL championship, Perth focused on keeping its championship core together. Four-time championship-winning coach Trevor Gleeson re-signed on a three-year deal, while Damian Martin, Jesse Wagstaff and reigning Grand Final MVP Terrico White also returned. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk was elevated from development player to the full roster following Greg Hire’s retirement, while Dario Hunt (via Spirou Charleroi) and Majok Majok (via New Zealand) were added after Tom Jervis (retired) and Angus Brandt (to Europe) departed.

White re-signed for a second season in Perth in July, saying, “It’s exciting for me because I feel like we can do something special with this group.” His pre-season was interrupted when he injured his left wrist after falling during Perth’s NBL Blitz loss to Illawarra, forcing him to miss the following pre-season game against Sydney, but he recovered in time for the start of the season.

Perth opened its championship defence against Melbourne United at RAC Arena on October 5, where White (20 points and 2 steals) scored 16 points in the second half and hit the game-winning three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining as the Wildcats closed the game on a 12-2 run to win 94-93. Bryce Cotton (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Nick Kay (18 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) provided support, while Melo Trimble (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Melbourne in front of 12,503 fans.

White (15 points and 3.6 rebounds across 30 games) remained one of Perth’s main scoring options alongside Cotton and started every game he played during the regular season. The Wildcats opened the season 5-1 before their form dipped during November.

One of White’s best regular-season scoring games came in Brisbane on November 1, where he made four three-pointers and finished with 23 points and 5 rebounds, but the Bullets defeated Perth 87-78. Cotton (15 points and 4 rebounds) and Clint Steindl (11 points) provided support, while Jason Cadee (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Brisbane.

Two days later, White (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) again delivered late against New Zealand in Invercargill, hitting a three-pointer in the closing seconds as Perth defeated the Breakers 84-79. Hunt (21 points and 11 rebounds) led the Wildcats alongside him, while Brandon Ashley (21 points and 5 rebounds) and Corey Webster (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) led New Zealand. It was the third time during the opening month of the season White had hit a decisive late three-pointer after doing the same against Melbourne and Illawarra.

White (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) suffered a left knee injury during Perth’s November 17 game against New Zealand and left the court during the third quarter as the Wildcats went on to win 88-77 behind Cotton (34 points and 4 assists). Scans revealed bone bruising but no ligament or structural damage, but White was unable to train or pass a fitness test later that week and missed Perth’s following game against Cairns.

By Round 10, Perth had fallen to 8-5 following back-to-back losses before responding with four consecutive wins to close December with a 13-6 record. Martin (3.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) played his 300th game for Perth during December before a left heel injury sidelined him throughout January.

White’s best regular-season scoring game came in Sydney on December 28, where he made three three-pointers and finished with 24 points and 4 rebounds as Perth defeated the Kings 98-85 at Qudos Bank Arena. Cotton (39 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) made eight three-pointers and scored 16 points during the final six minutes after Sydney had taken a five-point lead, while Kay (10 points and 10 rebounds) provided support and Casper Ware (33 points) led Sydney.

Four days later, White (23 points and 6 rebounds) made four three-pointers against Adelaide, but the 36ers defeated Perth 100-97. Cotton (22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) and Mitchell Norton (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Wildcats alongside him, while Eric Griffin (24 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) was Adelaide’s best.

After consecutive losses to begin 2020, Perth released Hunt (8.6 points and 6 rebounds across 21 games) and replaced him with seven-year NBA veteran Miles Plumlee (8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds across 12 games), who had most recently played with Zhejiang in China. With only seven regular-season games remaining when he arrived, Plumlee was required to appear in all seven to qualify for the postseason.

White then missed Perth’s January 29 game against Melbourne after general soreness prevented him from taking part in the morning shoot-around, returning for the Wildcats’ next game against Sydney.

White (4 points) injured his right knee after banging knees with Lamar Patterson against Brisbane on February 9 as Perth defeated the Bullets 85-72. Cotton (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Kay (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Wildcats, while Patterson (25 points and 11 rebounds) was Brisbane’s best. Scans cleared White of structural damage but the bruising prevented him from training during the following week.

The injury kept White out of Perth’s final regular-season game against Adelaide, with Cotton also unavailable after experiencing knee soreness at training and failing a fitness test on the morning of the game. Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Plumlee (14 points and 7 rebounds) led Perth to a 94-79 victory, while Daniel Johnson (18 points and 11 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best. Perth won six of its final seven games to finish second with a 19-9 record and secure its 34th consecutive finals appearance.

Cotton (22.6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 32 games) was named NBL MVP for the second time and became the first import in league history to lead the NBL in scoring for three consecutive seasons. Kay (15.9 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals across 33 games) was selected to the All-NBL First Team for the second consecutive season, while Steindl (9.6 points across 32 games), Norton (6.8 points across 33 games) and Wagstaff (5.8 points across 33 games) were Perth’s other main contributors.

Returning after almost three weeks without a game, White (9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) helped Perth open its semifinal series against Cairns with a 108-107 overtime win at RAC Arena. Cotton (42 points and 6 assists) made 10 three-pointers to tie the NBL finals record, while Kay (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) hit a three-pointer late in regulation to help force overtime. Scott Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists), DJ Newbill (25 points) and Cameron Oliver (19 points and 17 rebounds) led Cairns.

Game two moved to Cairns, where the Taipans defeated Perth 85-74 to tie the series. White (13 points and 4 rebounds) and Steindl (18 points) led the Wildcats in scoring, while Kay (10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) contributed at both ends and Cotton (11 points and 2 steals) was held well below his usual scoring output. Oliver (22 points and 19 rebounds) and Newbill (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Cairns.

White’s best game of the season came in the deciding semifinal at RAC Arena, where he made four three-pointers and finished with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block as Perth defeated Cairns 93-82. White scored 12 points during the fourth quarter as the Wildcats held off the Taipans, while Kay (24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) produced another double-double and Cotton (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists) impacted the game as a facilitator. Oliver (20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Machado (19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Cairns as Perth won the series 2-1 and advanced to its 15th NBL Grand Final. “The guy next to me was outstanding,” Gleeson said of White.

The Grand Final opened at Qudos Bank Arena, where White (7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) struggled offensively but Perth defeated Sydney 88-86 in front of 11,647 fans. Cotton (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Kay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Plumlee (10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Wildcats, while Andrew Bogut (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Kevin Lisch (17 points) led Sydney as Perth took a 1-0 series lead.

Ahead of game two, it was decided the remainder of the Grand Final series would be played without fans due to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. In an empty RAC Arena, Sydney defeated Perth 97-83 behind Jae’Sean Tate (20 points), Bogut (19 points and 14 rebounds) and Lisch (19 points), while Cotton (27 points and 5 rebounds), Kay (17 points and 7 rebounds) and White (5 points and 3 rebounds) led Perth as the series was tied at 1-1.

Game three returned to Sydney, where White (10 points and 4 assists) helped Perth defeat the Kings 111-96 behind Cotton (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists), who made seven three-pointers. Plumlee (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) also contributed inside, while Tate (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Brad Newley (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as Perth took a 2-1 series lead.

Prior to game four, Sydney withdrew from the series due to concerns surrounding COVID-19 and uncertainty over travel restrictions, leading the NBL to cancel the remaining games. Two days later Perth was officially awarded the championship after holding a 2-1 series lead, securing its tenth NBL title, fourth championship in five seasons and second consecutive title. White completed his second season with Perth with a second championship, while Cotton averaged 30.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across the three Grand Final games and was named Grand Final MVP for the second time in four years.

White departed Perth after two seasons and two championships and in October signed with Cariduros de Fajardo in Puerto Rico.

Terrico White played two seasons with the Perth Wildcats. He averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 60 NBL games.

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