From IUHoosiers.com
Park Ridge, Illinois - Indiana senior D.J. White was named Big Ten Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the second straight week after leading the Hoosiers to victories over Tennessee State and Kentucky.
White averaged 22.5 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks to carry Indiana to triumphs over the Tigers and Wildcats. Against Tennessee State, White had a career-high 29 points and added 13 rebounds. Against Kentucky, White racked up 16 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots and became the 41st player in Hoosier history to eclipse the 1,000-point barrier (1,006). The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native now has five-straight double-doubles, a career high. White earns his second straight weekly conference laurel (Dec. 3) and the third of his career.
He currently leads the Big Ten in rebounds averaging 9.1 per game. He is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and attended Hillcrest High School.
White is certainly playing well of late. I think we can all say for sure that White will not seek a medical redshirt to come back for a 5th season with the Hoosiers. With Mike White and Lance Stemler graduating as well, IU will have only three post options next season: DeAndre Thomas, Eli Holman and incoming freshman Tom Pritchard. I would not be shocked to see the coaching staff go after a Juco big to add depth to the frontline and to "balance" out the classes scholarship wise.
White's play also could help the Hoosiers on the recruiting trail. Obviously things will be up in the air until the NCAA makes its final ruling, but the way White has developed under Sampson is sure to be noticed by top-notch big men such as Rivals No. 5 prospect in the class of 2009 and IU target, DeMarcus Cousins. IU has struggled in recent years to attract top-ranked post players, but getting a player to the NBA should help Sampson in recruiting. One interesting side note about Cousins is that his current leader is UAB, led by former IU coach Mike Davis. Should be an interesting battle to say the least.
