Tre White Is Becoming the Jayhawks’ Swiss Army Knife - And Bill Self Loves It
If you’ve watched Kansas basketball through the first 11 games of the season, one thing stands out: Tre White doesn’t just play the game - he imposes his will on it. The senior forward has become a magnet for contact, a relentless attacker who’s already earned 65 trips to the free-throw line.
That’s 33 more than any other Jayhawk. And he’s making them count, knocking down 56 of those 65 attempts - good for 86.2%.
This isn’t a fluke. White has a proven track record of getting to the stripe, having hit 82.4% of his free throws last season at Illinois.
But what’s elevated his game this year is how he’s drawing those fouls. He’s not just barreling into defenders - he’s crafting contact, using veteran savvy to turn drives and jumpers into opportunities.
It’s the kind of skill you don’t often see at the college level.
“He’s got some old-school NBA-type stuff,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “When he lifts a guy, he knows how to extend his arms.
He’s looking for contact instead of trying to avoid it. That’s clever.”
Self even floated a comparison to one of the NBA’s most notorious foul-drawers.
“The one guy that’s so good at it is James Harden,” Self said. “I do wonder if Tre’s studied him a little.”
White’s knack for drawing fouls was on display in Kansas’ thrilling 77-76 overtime win against NC State. He didn’t have his best shooting night from the field - just 4-of-11 - but he was perfect from the line, going 4-for-4 and finishing with 12 points. That ability to contribute even when the jumper isn’t falling is what makes him so valuable.
White heads into Tuesday’s matchup against Towson averaging 14.1 points per game. And he’s doing it efficiently: shooting 51.2% from the field and 37.1% from three, a noticeable jump from his 32.9% mark last season at Illinois. He’s also showing signs of becoming more comfortable in Kansas’ system - something Self has noticed.
“He’s been a pleasant surprise in how quickly he’s fit in,” Self said. “He’s playing the 3, but he’s playing bigger.
He’s cutting, rebounding, making open shots. Probably as much as anybody on our roster, he’s playing the way we envision guys playing.”
White’s journey to Kansas has been a winding one - USC, Louisville, Illinois, and now Lawrence. But he’s found his groove with the Jayhawks, and his game is rounding into form at just the right time.
“One thing he does is run,” Self said. “He’s maybe the best I’ve had at going from defense to offense. Melvin [Council Jr.] is fast, Flory [Bidunga] is fast, but Tre’s skill set in transition is something we’ve got to take advantage of more consistently.”
Even when the three-ball isn’t falling - like his 0-for-6 outing from deep against NC State - Self remains confident in White’s shooting.
“He’s a good shooter,” Self said. “We can probably do a better job of getting the ball to him.”
But White’s value goes beyond the box score. He’s vocal.
He’s versatile. And he’s a leader.
“I feel like I’m a Swiss Army knife,” White said. “I can plug in and play in different areas.
I can guard bigger guys, little guys, scoring guys - whatever the team needs. I’ve been around the block.
I know my strengths and weaknesses, and I know where I can impact the game.”
He’s also taken on a leadership role, communicating constantly with teammates on the floor.
“I’ve always been a leader,” he said. “I’ve always been outspoken, led by example.
On defense, I try to be a dog, hold everyone accountable, get my extra work in. I need to stay confident in my shot, let the game slow down, and get my teammates involved.”
That mindset fits perfectly into the culture Self has built at Kansas - one where players figure things out together, on the fly, and trust the process.
With two non-conference games left - Towson on Tuesday and Davidson next Monday - the Jayhawks are looking to tighten things up before Big 12 play begins. And if Tre White keeps trending the way he has, Kansas might just have a difference-maker on their hands - one who can do a little bit of everything, and do it well.