BCSP X-41: BCSP Hoop Notes

Provine High School standout guard and 2003 Mr. Basketball, Charlie White, officially signed with the Tigers Monday. After months of speculation and amid several rumors, the 5-10 point guard chose Jackson State over SEC power, Mississipi State.

"Most big-time players from Jackson always seem to leave to go to bigger schools," said White, whose home is ten minutes from the JSU campus.

"That doesn't mean it's the right decision for me. Sometimes they go off to another school and things don't go so well. I want to stay home, play at Jackson State and make a name for myself, the school and the SWAC."

Hoopscoop ranks White as the 66th-best senior in the country. Bob Gibbons and his All Star Sports lists him as one of the top 12 point guards in the land.

"Charlie (White) is a big step in bringing back the pride in Jackson State men's basketball," said JSU head coach Tevester Anderson, who just completed his first year leading the Tigers.

"He is not only an outstanding player but an outstanding person. He has great leadership and athletic skills on the court."

Anderson had served as an assistant at Georgia and Auburn of the SEC before spending five years as the head coach at Murray State. He was recognized as one of the top recruiters in the country during his days in the SEC, recruiting the likes of Charles Barkley, Chuck Person, Chris Morris, Willie and Shannon Anderson and Litterial Green.

White averaged 15 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals during his senior season. A two-time all-State selection and Mr. Basketball in 2003, White was All-Metro and Metro Player of the Year as a junior.

With the Rams, White led the metro-area school to two consecutive 4A state championships (32-6 in 2003-04 and 26-5 in 2002-03). He had a career-high 33 points against Lanier (Jackson, MS) High School. He also played in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game, arguably outplaying Ronald Steele, an Alabama signee and his state's two-time Mr. Basketball.

White headlines a group of newcomers that will look to rebuild the Tigers' program that finished 12-17 overall, but came on strong late in the season.

Hampton hoops tour
While most college basketball programs must wait until the middle of October to begin their season, the Hampton University men's basketball team will tip-off its 2004-05 campaign with practice on August 2 in preparation for a summer tour through British Columbia.

"This summer tour will give us a chance to see where we stand early on and develop some team chemistry and unity," stated coach Bobby Collins, who will be entering his third season as the overseer of the Pirate program. "We have several new players who will have the opportunity to play and compete while getting five games under their belts."

Following ten days of practice, the Pirates will embark on a five-game tour that begins Friday, August 13 through Thursday, August 19.

"We had our choice of several places to tour, but we felt that this trip provided us with the best competition," added Collins who guided Hampton a record of 13-17 during the 2003-04 season.