Tre White’s Emergence from Deep is Changing the Game for Kansas
LAWRENCE - When Kansas landed Tre White in the transfer portal, the staff knew they were getting a versatile, battle-tested guard. What they might not have fully anticipated was just how impactful he’d be from behind the arc - and how quickly he’d become a vital piece of the Jayhawks’ offensive puzzle.
White, a senior who’s had stops at USC, Louisville, and most recently Illinois, came to Lawrence with a track record of steady improvement as a shooter. The potential was there.
The mechanics were there. The corner three, in particular, was a shot Kansas coaches believed he could hit with regularity.
But now, midway through January, White isn’t just a capable shooter - he’s the team’s most consistent threat from deep.
After drilling 5-of-7 from three in Kansas’ 84-63 win over No. 2 Iowa State, White is now shooting 44.9% from beyond the arc (31-for-69) on the season.
That’s not just solid - that’s elite. And it’s not coming in garbage time or low-pressure moments.
It’s happening in the heart of Big 12 play, against top-tier competition, when Kansas (12-5, 2-2 Big 12) needs it most.
“Just consistency and work,” White said after the win. “When you have great players on the floor that can attract two or three players, it’s nothing for me to get a wide-open catch and shoot.
So, I’ve got to knock those down. So, just kudos to my teammates for being aggressive.”
White’s humility is clear - he’s quick to credit his teammates for creating the space. But make no mistake, he’s making those shots count.
Tuesday’s performance wasn’t just a hot night; it was part of a growing trend. And it came in a game where he also posted a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double, showing just how well-rounded his contributions have become.
What’s made White so valuable isn’t just the shooting - it’s the timing of it. With freshman guard Darryn Peterson still working his way back into full rhythm after missing time during non-conference play, White has stepped up in a major way. Peterson might be the most talented player on the roster, but White is proving Kansas doesn’t need to be a one-man show.
White’s shooting stretches the floor in a way that opens up the entire offense. It gives guys like sophomore forward Flory Bidunga more room to operate inside. It forces defenses to make tough choices - help on drives and risk leaving White open, or stay home and let Kansas’ playmakers attack downhill.
That spacing has become a critical component of the Jayhawks’ offensive identity. And as conference play heats up, opposing teams are going to start keying in on White.
Friday’s home matchup against Baylor could be the first real test of how teams plan to adjust. If defenses start running White off the line, Kansas will need to counter.
But even the threat of his shot is enough to shift how opponents defend.
For Kansas, that’s a win in itself.
White’s journey - from bouncing around programs to becoming a cornerstone in Lawrence - is a testament to development, fit, and belief. He’s not just a shooter. He’s a rebounder, a facilitator, and a glue guy who’s found his rhythm at the right time.
And if he keeps shooting like this? The rest of the Big 12 will have to take notice.