Former Supercat relishes milestone of a lifetime

FORMER Geelong United Supercat Jack White says it is “absurd” to be an NBA champion after helping the Denver Nuggets to its first title in franchise history.

White became only the seventh Australian to win an NBA championship when Denver defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals on Tuesday last week.

“I am so happy,” White told ESPN Australia following Denver’s Game 5 series-clinching win.

“I’ve had great people in my corner the whole time, not only recovering from my Achilles injury, but post that.

“I’ve just been so fortunate with everything that’s happened to me, and I’ve been so fortunate to end up in an organisation as good as this one.

“It’s just special.”

White featured as a member of the Supercats during the 2022 NBL1 South campaign under former head coach Justin Schueller, following a major Achilles injury while playing for Melbourne United in 2021.

He suited up for the Supercats in four contests, becoming a primary producer in that span averaging 20 points and 12.5 rebounds.

After a brief stint in the Australian Boomers squad at last year’s FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, White received his dream call-up, a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets.

White averaged 1.2 points and a rebound per game in 17 appearances for the Nuggets in his rookie season, and averaged 19.2 points and 9.4 rebounds for Denver’s G-League affiliate Grand Rapids Gold in season 2022-23.

The other Australians to get their hands on the historic Larry O’Brien Trophy so far include former Chicago Bulls centre Luc Longley (three times), former San Antonio Spurs player Andrew Gaze, Brooklyn Nets player Patty Mills, former San Antonio Spurs player Aron Baynes, former Golden State Warriors centre Andrew Bogut and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova.