Virginia’s Sharpshooter Jacari White Out Indefinitely with Broken Wrist, But Cavaliers Depth Shines
Virginia’s offense has been humming along this season, and one of the biggest reasons has been Jacari White - the ACC’s most accurate three-point shooter. But the Cavaliers will now have to navigate life without their breakout guard for the foreseeable future. Head coach Ryan Odom confirmed Monday night that White suffered a broken left wrist that will require surgery, sidelining him indefinitely.
The injury came in dramatic fashion during Saturday’s win over Maryland. Midway through the second half, White elevated for a one-handed dunk, was fouled by Solomon Washington, and came crashing down hard.
The 6-foot-3 transfer from North Dakota State still managed to sink the free throw, finishing the game with 15 points in 22 minutes off the bench. The Cavaliers pulled out an 80-72 win, but the celebration was short-lived.
“He kept playing through the injury,” Odom said after Virginia’s 95-51 rout of American University on Monday. “Then he looked at me and said, ‘I got to come out.’
After the game, they x-rayed it and saw the unfortunate news. But it’s his offhand, and that’s the best news we could get in a situation like this.”
White’s injury is a blow - not just because of his scoring, but because of how efficiently he’s been doing it. Through Sunday’s games, he had knocked down 30 of 60 three-point attempts - a scorching 50% clip that leads the ACC and ranks tied for ninth nationally. He’s averaging 10.9 points per game and has provided a major spark off the bench in his first season in Charlottesville.
His signature moment came earlier this month in a neutral-site win over Dayton at the Charlotte Hornets’ arena. White was unconscious from deep, going 7-for-7 from beyond the arc and 9-for-9 overall for a career-high 25 points. That performance set a school record for most made threes in a game without a miss - a statement game that announced his arrival in the ACC.
White’s combination of microwave scoring and perimeter precision made him a perfect fit in a Virginia offense that’s been quietly one of the nation’s most efficient. Entering Monday night, the Cavaliers ranked 14th in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency and 13th nationally in three-point shooting at 39.7%. The team features nine players averaging between six and 15 points per game, led by Belgian forward Thijs De Ridder.
With White now sidelined, Virginia’s depth will be tested - but it also might be what saves them. Monday night, Elijah Gertrude stepped into a bigger role and delivered. The redshirt freshman scored 11 points and dished out three assists in 16 minutes, showing flashes of the athleticism and playmaking that were put on pause last season after a knee injury from a scooter accident.
“The strength of this team is the depth that we have,” Odom said. “You saw it tonight with Elijah getting in there and playing.
We have options, no different than when Devin [Tillis] was out to start the year. We’re confident in this group, and we’re confident in Jacari getting back.”
White is scheduled for surgery Tuesday and will be able to spend the holidays with his family before rejoining the team. It’s a tough break, but there’s optimism he’ll return this season.
Before arriving at Virginia, White had already proven himself as a high-level scorer. He poured in 1,089 points across three seasons at North Dakota State, shooting 40.6% from deep and averaging 17.1 points per game last year. He earned second-team All-Summit League honors and landed on the conference’s all-defensive team in 2023-24 - a two-way player who brought toughness and shotmaking to the Cavaliers’ second unit.
And he’s already built a strong connection with the UVA fan base. With a white band wrapped around his shaved head and a fearless style of play, White has become a crowd favorite. His most loyal supporters even call themselves the “Jacarmy.”
Virginia, now 11-1, gets a brief holiday break before opening ACC play on New Year’s Eve at Virginia Tech (11-2). The matchup will mark the start of a new chapter in the Cavaliers’ season - one where their depth, resilience, and next-man-up mentality will be put to the test.
For now, White will watch from the sidelines. But if his early impact is any indication, his return - whenever it comes - could be a major boost for a Virginia team with serious aspirations.