Kansas legend and Olympic gold medallist — the most complete guard in Jayhawks history before 1979.
Joseph Henry White was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1946. He attended the University of Kansas and became one of the most celebrated guards in the program's history before Danny Manning and later Wilt Chamberlain redefined the program. He averaged 15.3 points and 4.2 assists per game across three varsity seasons. He was an All-American and Big Eight champion. He won Olympic gold with the USA at Mexico City 1968 — a tournament that produced the famous Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the podium. Boston Celtics selected him ninth overall in the 1969 NBA Draft. His professional career produced seven All-Star appearances and two NBA championships with Boston (1974, 1976), including a legendary performance in the triple-overtime Game 5 of the 1976 Finals. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015 — belated recognition of both his college and professional excellence. His Kansas career produced the Olympic experience that prepared him for the pressure situations of professional championship basketball.
Olympic Gold Medal (1968)
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold Medal (1968)
- All-American
- Big Eight champion
- NCAA Tournament performer