Leicester Riders have added rookie American guard JJ White to Rob Paternostro’s new-look squad ahead of the 2026/27 Super League Basketball season.
White arrives in Leicester after finishing his college career at Baylor, having previously spent three seasons at Nebraska Omaha. His Omaha spell was particularly productive: during his senior campaign there, he led the Summit League in total assists with 140 and assists per game at 4.0, while also averaging 13.7 points.
That season earned White Summit League First Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team honours as Omaha won the conference tournament and reached NCAA March Madness.
He then moved to Baylor for 2025/26 and also had the opportunity to represent Team USA at the World University Games, where the Baylor men’s basketball team represented the United States. One notable performance came against India, with White recording 13 points, six assists and six rebounds.
Leicester describe White as a fast, dynamic and versatile guard. Paternostro highlighted his ability to score at all three levels, get to the free-throw line, finish through contact, shoot from three and create for team-mates.
White said he was “super excited” to sign with the Riders and is ready to meet the fans and get to work.
The move continues Leicester’s summer refresh. White becomes the fifth confirmed player in the Riders’ rebuilt squad, joining Canadian duo Trent Johnson and TJ Hurley alongside forwards Blair Thompson and Victor Ndoukou.
For UK basketball readers, this is another marker of how SLB clubs are using the American college pathway: White arrives with genuine playmaking numbers, tournament experience and a clear first-pro role in one of British basketball’s most established programmes.
Sources / notes
- Source: Super League Basketball.
- Image/source: Super League Basketball; explicit reuse licence not found in-session.