Picture this: a talented young athlete pledges his future to a storied basketball powerhouse like the University of Kansas, only to see his journey detour through several other programs before circling back home. That's the incredible odyssey of Tre White, and as the 2025-26 season kicks off, it's setting the stage for some unforgettable moments that fans won't want to miss. But stick around—because this tale isn't just about basketball; it's a reminder of how dreams can take unexpected routes, and White's story is far from over.
You've probably come across the details by now: Tre White, a highly touted prospect from the high school class of 2022, verbally committed to KU when he was just a sophomore, brimming with excitement about joining the Jayhawks. Yet, life in college hoops threw him some curveballs, leading him through stints at USC, Louisville, and Illinois before he finally landed in Lawrence for his senior year. And trust me, this backdrop will pop up time and again throughout the upcoming campaign, adding layers of intrigue to every game.
Take, for instance, when White notches his 12th point of the season—that's when he'll officially become a member of KU's prestigious 1,000-point club. It's the kind of milestone that sparks reflection, making you wonder if, back in his high school days, he ever imagined racking up every single one of those points while wearing crimson and blue. Or consider the non-conference matchups on home turf against UConn, a road trip to Chapel Hill for a clash with North Carolina, and an iconic showdown in New York City versus Duke. These aren't just games; they're the kinds of marquee events that players like White have long talked about, explaining why so many recruits flock to Kansas—to test themselves in high-stakes battles against elite competition.
White himself calls this upcoming year a 'full-circle season,' and it all begins in earnest on Friday night when he finally gets to partake in Late Night in the Phog Arena. To clarify for those new to college basketball lore, Late Night is KU's electrifying season-opening scrimmage and pep rally, a tradition that draws massive crowds and sets the tone for the year ahead. Shortly after his 2019 commitment, White—a five-star recruit at the time—expressed his eagerness to be part of it that very season, eager to dive into the frenzy.
But it didn't materialize then, and it hasn't yet, fueling his current buzz as official practices ramp up for the 2025-26 squad. 'It’s the same feeling, honestly,' White shared about his anticipation now versus back then as a high schooler. 'That’s why I’m excited, to be going into this big, unknown, lit environment with high-flying athletes, I feel like a little kid.' Far from feeling childish today, though—when he pledged, scouts pegged him at 6-foot-5 and 175 pounds, sometimes labeling him a point guard. Now, he's grown to 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds, poised to anchor the starting lineup at power forward. With nearly 100 college games logged, White is on the cusp of a debut many athletes never get: that first plunge into the chaos of Late Night.
For decades, Late Night has stood as one of college basketball's premier season kickoff spectacles, and White elaborated on why it holds such allure for him and countless others. 'It’s the history, being such a prestigious school, a blue blood, all that,' he explained. 'Growing up, I always heard about the history, everybody getting drafted, all the winning, so when you see little clips of Late Night it’s just little spurts of high energy and stuff like that, and you don’t really know how it feels until you’re in it. I know it’s gonna be sold out, I know it’s gonna be fun and we’re gonna compete, too.' And just to give you a taste, here's a teaser from KU's official account: 'Friday can't come soon enough' with a link to an exciting promo image.
Now, here's where it gets controversial: KU head coach Bill Self has always been wary of overhyping what unfolds during Late Night scrimmages, treating them as mere glimpses rather than definitive previews. And that stance won't change as long as he's at the helm. Still, he remarked on Wednesday that he expects a thrilling evening, while touching on how the event's role has evolved over time.
Throughout Self's tenure in Lawrence, Late Night was the ultimate recruiting magnet, attracting top talent to witness the spectacle firsthand. Legendary players from college basketball's annals—whether they ended up as Jayhawks or competitors—often filled the seats behind the KU bench, turning it into the calendar's biggest night for wooing five-star recruits. It was a common scene to host multiple elite prospects, with KU vying fiercely against powerhouses like Duke and Kentucky to host their top targets instead of rival events. But this weekend, Self noted just one official visitor on the schedule.
'It’s obviously a big, big recruiting deal,' he started. 'But it’s not as big, I don’t think, in many ways, as what it has been in the past. It’s a good weekend. But, it seemed like in the past we had one recruiting weekend to really bring guys in and showcase our place. Now, I feel like it’s not so important to have it all that one weekend.' This shift reflects the modern landscape of college basketball, where the transfer portal reigns supreme, allowing players to switch schools with unprecedented ease and altering how programs like KU approach recruitment.
And this is the part most people miss: despite these changes, for a magical few hours on Friday night, Late Night remains utterly transformative for the athletes and supporters in attendance. That group includes rising star Darryn Peterson, a five-star phenom, who echoed the excitement at KU's media day earlier this week. 'I’m so excited,' Peterson said. 'This is my first time on that court with a packed-out arena and people (are coming) to see us, so I’m gonna try to put on a show for everybody.'
As we gear up for this iconic event, it begs the question: In an era where transfers can redefine careers in a heartbeat, is the traditional recruiting spectacle of Late Night becoming obsolete, or does it still hold the power to inspire future stars? What do you think—has the transfer portal diluted the magic of events like this, or does it add a new layer of unpredictability? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree that Late Night's appeal endures, or if you see it as a relic of a bygone recruiting era. For tickets to all KU athletic events, check out kuathletics.com.
