CAA All-Rookie, Darren White to Transfer (updated)

There have been rumors that more than one member of JMU’s basketball team were going to leave and today the rumors came true. The school announced that freshman guard Darren White and and redshirt-freshman forward Alvin Brown will not be returning next season.

The news that Brown was leaving was pretty much a formality at this point. He saw limited playing time and it’s been clear for a while now that he wasn’t part of Brady’s plan. The news that White is transferring, is a bit more of a shock. There were rumors he was on his way out, but nothing substantiated and I for one, expected him to be back next year.

White averaged 8.8 points and 4 boards a game, solid numbers for a freshman. He eclipsed 20 points in a game 3 times and was recognized as CAA rookie of the week two times. He clearly had talent, but at times disappeared or lost focus on the court. Unfortunately, a tendency to lose focus or intensity wasn’t a problem unique to White on this season’s Dukes.

I don’t know what happened on the practice floor or the true reason White is leaving school. I do find it kind of odd that according to Darren, Coach Brady “just made the decision that I needed to leave”, while Brady and the Dukes are sticking the the line that it was mutual. In any case, I’m disappointed to see White go and wish he and Alvin the best wherever they end up.

Update: Apparently White is now saying that he didn’t feel like he fit in at JMU and that Brady “kind of lifted a weight from my shoulders by telling me I needed to transfer.”