Australian forward, Jack White, has a chance to make the Denver Nuggets roster on a two-way contract if he plays well at the 2022 Summer League in Las Vegas. The former Duke captain should have the opportunity to show off his potential in the NBA.
Right before joining the Nuggets in Las Vegas, White debuted for the Australian national team, the Boomers, in their qualifying games for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The Boomers won their games handily and the power of Jack White was on full display.
Going up against rookies and players looking to get a call up in the NBA, White should be able to find his niche in Vegas as a scoring forward who can get to the rim when he wants. The Australian NBL is now a well-established league for young talent entering the NBA and given his experience against professionals, White should perform well against the prospects at Summer League.
This past season for Melbourne United, White averaged 9.5 points per game and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the floor. When on the court, he had an offensive rating of 114.4 and a stellar defensive rating of 98.4 per Spatial Jam, some great figures while playing a role for a very successful Melbourne team.
Speaking of his former player, Mike Krzyzewski praised Jack White’s ability as a teammate:
"“[Jack is a] hard worker – came to work every day. One of the easiest kids to coach that I’ve had the opportunity to coach in my 45 years as a collegiate coach.“A top-notch defender, rebounder and shot blocker. He does all the dirty work. Offensively, he’ll be able to add and stretch a defence because he can hit his outside shot.”"
At 6’7″, White isn’t as vertically imposing as many of his peers but his strength and touch is what gets him his baskets. If he were to make the final roster, he might be able to find success finishing in a spaced-out floor, surrounded by excellent passers.
Michael Malone has seldom leaned on two-way players in the past with the exception of Davon Reed. Before then, Petr Cornelie and Markus Howard struggled to find consistent playing time.
At the moment, the Denver Nuggets only have one of the two-way contracts available, the first given to undrafted Villanova point guard, Collin Gillespie.
Ismael Kamagate, Denver’s 46th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft is expected to be a draft-and-stash choice but if he performs well in Summer League, he should have the inside track to making the roster.