Miami Heat’s Okaro White may have made a name for himself last season by being the only undefeated player in the league for 13 games, but he is now proving his worth in a different way during summer league.
Miami Heat fans hold the term 13-Okaro near and dear to their hearts.
It refers to the team’s 13-game winning steak last season, jump-started by the addition of power forward Okaro White.
A name that still may not be familiar to most, but given his recent development, is sure to change.
Having gone undrafted in 2014, the 24-year-old headed overseas and spent time in both Italy and Greece. But eventually, he found his way to Miami’s 2016 summer league squad, quickly catching the organization’s attention. Unfortunately, he was waived in October after the Heat’s preseason run, and instead found a home within the team’s NBA Developmental League affiliate. However, White was later signed to a 10-day contract by Miami, and the rest is history.
The Brooklyn-native may have just been brought on in light of numerous injuries, but he made an impression; two 10-day contracts became a full deal, taking the spot of 2011 No. 2 pick Derrick Williams.
Now White may not have had a monumental 2016-17 on paper, but he was the league’s only undefeated player at one point. An achievement, no matter the circumstance.
But the best is yet to come with him. At least if his summer league performance is any indication.
Having started things off hot, White finished the Heat’s first summer league game (a July 1 loss against the Charlotte Hornets) with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks.
He followed that up with a July 2 15-point game in a loss to the Orlando Magic, where he also grabbed 6 rebounds.
White really balled out on July 4 though, in a hard-to-swallow double-overtime loss versus the Detroit Pistons. He finished the day with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, really seeming to have found his groove.
And while the forward may have cooled off a bit offensively during Miami’s final Orlando summer league loss to the New York Knicks on July 6, he still totaled a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
He got right back to it in Las Vegas too totaling 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals on 2-of-3 shooting from downtown, in a July 10 win versus the Washington Wizards.
And White’s second double-double of the summer then came in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on July 11, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes of action.
So over six games, White averaged 17.8 points and 8.1 rebounds.
Obviously, he is not playing around.
Proving himself as a threat on both sides of the floor, he has a specific goal in mind: being more like teammate James Johnson.
"“The way James Johnson gets us into offense and is able to handle the ball at the forward position, that’s what I’ve been working on and been working on a lot. That’s really where I want to improve.”"
Well so far, so good. Aside from a consistently impressive stat-line, the things that have stood out most about White in summer league are how fast he is, and his ball-handing skills.
Racing up the court like a gazelle, White is constantly play-making. Whether it be positioning himself for a money shot, getting the ball to an open teammate, or looking to free up the strongest shooter, the second-year player has clearly taken control of the summer league roster. And the league, in general. By July 7, he led the summer league in scoring.
"“I had a good amount of time to adjust to the game and adjust to the style of pace and adjust to the way we play as a team… “I don’t want to just get out here and jack up shots. I know my role and the way I want to play when I get with the big guys. At the same time, I want to get my teammates involved. It’s a little weird. But I’m taking the challenge.”"
Challenge accepted, White.
Next: A super early preview of 3 potential Miami Heat trade targets
While many may have gone into summer league excited to see rookie Bam Adebayo play, Okaro White has surely captured the attention of Miami Heat fans…and beyond.