Former KU guard Tre White continues to sizzle on offense for NBA’s Miami Heat
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tre White, undrafted in 2026, signed an Exhibit 10 and vies for a roster or two-way spot.
- White averaged 13.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in two California Classic summer league games.
- He scored 16, 13 and 19 points in his three Las Vegas summer league games.
Former Kansas Jayhawks guard Tre White, who was not selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, continues to make a strong case for a free agent spot or two-way contract with the Miami Heat.
White, a 6-foot-7, 23-year-old Dallas native, averaged 13.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in two games at the recent California Classic summer league in San Francisco. He scored in double figures Thursday for the third time in his three games played for the Heat in the Las Vegas summer league.
White scored 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting (3-of-9 from 3-point range) in the Heat’s 99-90 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion.
He also had four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one turnover while starting and playing 32 minutes. White scored 15 points in the first half alone.
White — he played last season at KU after one season apiece at USC, Louisville and Illinois — scored 13 points with four rebounds and four steals while starting and playing 29 minutes in the Heat’s 93-88 loss to Orlando on Saturday. He was 3-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-6 from deep. White scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while playing 24 minutes in Miami’s 119-86 victory over Milwaukee a week ago in the two teams’ opening game in Vegas. Against the Bucks he was 2-of-6 beyond the arc and 5-of-11 overall.
According to the Miami Herald, White currently is battling Keshad Johnson, Trevor Keels and Jahmir Young for the team’s third and final two-way contract (time spent with NBA team and G League team). Tre Donaldson and Vlad Golden recently agreed to 2-way deals with the Heat.
“He (White) has got the size. He’s got the shooting ability,” Miami Heat summer coach Wayne Ellington told the Miami Herald after Thursday’s game. “He’s got the intangibles.”
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is keeping a close eye on White as the former KU, USC, Louisville and Illinois player vies for that last 2-way.
“White, when give the chance, has displayed a diverse offensive game, a defensive bent and an ability to make tough shots. His 15-point first half Thursday included two 3’s, a high-degree-of-difficulty turnaround jumper and another challenging jumper. He was fouled on a tomahawk dunk attempt off a nifty pass,” Jackson wrote Thursday.
White averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds a game while shooting 45% from the field including 40.3% from 3 in his one season at KU.
He told the Daily Illini newspaper in Vegas that he’s happy he chose to sign an Exhibit 10 deal with the Heat, one of 13 teams he worked out for during the pre-NBA Draft process.
“Honestly, I just love the preparation and the history of what the Heat bring, and the opportunity they give their second-round and undrafted guys,” White said. “I feel like I kind of fit that mold of hard-nosed and get-it-out-the-mud type of mentality.”
He said he’s been intent on “showing the team that I’m a team player. Make it easier on my vets, showing I can space the floor, knock down shots and also be that guy who can guard the best player on the other end. Be that dog, get connected.
“ I’ve kind of been a journeyman all my life,” White continued. “I feel like my skillset and the way my journey has been kind of shaped me to be able to produce in different ways. I just kind of get it out the mud and trust my work and let God handle the rest.”
After the NBA Draft, he signed his Exhibit 10 contract with the Heat, which assured him a summer league roster spot and invitation to preseason training camp. If he is waived by the Heat before the regular season begins but spends at least 60 days with Miami’s G League affiliate (Sioux Falls) he could earn a bonus of $91,000. The contract can be converted to a two-way deal up until opening night.
The Heat, 1-3 in Vegas, may want to take one more look at White in summer league action. Miami faces the Detroit Pistons on Friday night in Vegas.
Mayo scores 10: Former KU guard Zeke Mayo scored 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting (2-of-5 from deep) in Atlanta’s 96-64 loss to Memphis on Thursday in Vegas. Mayo dished four assists against three turnovers with two rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench. He had a minus-26 in the plus/minus category.
Mitchell scores five: Former Missouri Tiger Mark Mitchell scored five points on 1-of-3 shooting with two rebounds, a steal and a block while playing 15 minutes in Denver’s 108-101 loss to Portland on Friday.
