The Knicks on Wednesday announced the signing of free agent swingman James White to a contract.
The team did not disclose terms but ESPNNewYork.com reported it is for slightly less than the veteran’s minimum of $1.4 million.
“He’s excited about it,” his agent, Daniel Curtin, told the Website. “He’s going to have a chance to play. He’s come a long way since his earlier NBA stint. I think it’s a great opportunity for him, especially with the personnel he’ll be playing with. He has some elite intangibles.”
The 6-foot-7, 200-pound White spent the past three seasons playing overseas for St. Petersburg (Russia), Sassari (Italy) and Pesaro (Italy).
He posted 17.4 points, on 52.1-percent shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 33.6 minutes in 30 games with Pesaro of the Italian A League during 2011-12, and averaged 21.0 points, on 54.1-percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 35.8 minutes in 30 regular season games with Sassari in 2010-11.
“He’s really grown,” Curtin told ESPNNewYork.com. “This past year, he led the league in free throws made, and his efficiency and basketball IQ were phenomenal. He was also first in the league in assists for any non-point guard. He’s made strides in the shooting department, but he’s not going to turn into Steve Novak. But his overall polish has increased quite a bit.”
White appeared in 10 games (two starts) with San Antonio (2006-07) and Houston (2008-09). He has also played for Austin (2006-07) and Anaheim (2008-09) of the NBA Development League.
The Kensington, Md., native, was originally selected by Portland in the second round (31st overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft.
He played three seasons at the University of Cincinnati, after transferring from the University of Florida. In his senior season for the Bearcats, White averaged 16.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 33.5 minutes in 33 games.
“I tell you what, off of one foot on the run, he jumps higher than anybody in the league,” West Virginia coach Bob Huggins, who coached White at Cincinnati, told SNY.tv last week. “Phenomenal leaper off of one foot. He would win the NBA Dunk Contest.”
