The Leicester Riders are delighted to announce the signing of American guard JJ White, who joins the club ahead of the 2026–27 season.
A graduate of Baylor University, White arrives in Leicester following an impressive collegiate career and will begin his professional basketball journey with the Riders.
Before transferring to Baylor for his senior season, White spent three seasons at the University of Nebraska Omaha, the former collegiate home of ex-Riders star Zach Jackson.
During his senior campaign at Omaha, White led the Summit League in total assists (140) and assists per game (4.0), while averaging 13.7 points per game — good for 11th in the conference.
His standout season earned him Summit League First Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team honours, as he helped lead Omaha to a conference tournament championship and a place in the NCAA March Madness tournament.
Following his successful 2024–25 campaign, White made the move to collegiate powerhouse Baylor for the 2025–26 season.
While at Baylor, White also had the unique opportunity to represent Team USA, with the Baylor men’s basketball team selected to represent the United States at the World University Games. One of his standout performances came against India, where he recorded an impressive 13 points, six assists and six rebounds.
A fast, dynamic and versatile guard, White brings a combination of scoring ability, playmaking and basketball intelligence to the Riders roster.
Upon signing his first professional contract, White said:
“I’m super excited to sign with the Riders for this upcoming season.
“I can’t wait to meet all of the fans and my new teammates, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Head Coach Rob Paternostro added:
“JJ is a dynamic guard who impacts the game in so many ways.
“He can score from all three levels, get to the free-throw line and finish through contact at the rim, while also being a consistent threat from three-point range.
“What really stands out is his vision and basketball IQ. He understands the game, makes the right reads and creates opportunities for his teammates.
“We believe he’ll be a great fit for how we want to play, and we’re excited to welcome him to the club and see the impact he’ll have this season.”
White becomes the fifth confirmed player in Coach Paternostro’s new-look squad, joining Canadian duo Trent Johnson and TJ Hurley, alongside forwards Blair Thompson and Victor Ndoukou.
Stay tuned to the Leicester Riders’ social media channels for all the latest news, updates and roster announcements ahead of the new season.
