ayer raise ur hand... we outbid an **** school, #2 seed, and a top five program for this kid...
White says he'll sign with Tigers, turn down Dogs
Provine star cites closeness to home, promise of early playing time as reasons why
By Mark Alexander
malexander@clarionledger.com
White
Provine star point guard Charlie White has been asked so many times about his college of choice in recent months that he came up with a standard reply.
"I'd just tell them I was going to State, I just didn't say which one," White said.
White, of course, was referring to Jackson State and Mississippi State, the two schools battling to sign the two-time All-State choice and Mississippi's Mr. Basketball in 2003.
He may have not known for sure then, but he does now. White said Sunday morning he has signed with Jackson State. Provine coach Luther Riley confirmed the signing Sunday night, adding that White planned to fax the letter of intent to Jackson State around 10 a.m. today.
"I'm going to turn my papers into Jackson State (Monday) morning," White said.
The 5-foot-10 White averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game as a senior, leading the Rams to a Class 4A state championship and a No. 1 ranking in The Clarion-Ledger poll for a second consecutive season.
White orally committed to the Bulldogs last May but opted to bypass the early signing period last November. The late signing period began April 15 and ends Wednesday.
"It has been going back and forth for a while now," White said. "One day I was thinking Mississippi State, the next day I was thinking Jackson State. I kept changing my mind. But I'm not changing any more. I've made my decision. It's done."
White said he liked the idea of playing in the **** for a team that has made it to the NCAA Tournament three straight years. In the end, though, Jackson State's location and the promise of early playing time won out.
"Jackson State's only about 10 minutes from my house," White said.
Most local blue chip recruits have spurned JSU in favor of higher-profile, upper-Division I programs in recent years. White is bucking that trend.
"Most big-time players from Jackson always seem to leave to go to bigger schools," White said. "That doesn't mean it's the right decision for me. Sometimes they go off to another school and things don't go so well. I want to stay home, play at Jackson State and make a name for myself, the school and the SWAC."
