After college time with the Jayhawks Tre White (left) and at Missouri for Mark Mitchell (right), the two are competing in the 2026 Las Vegas summer league and trying to make NBA rosters.
Jamie Squire
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Former Kansas men’s basketball guard Tre White, who was not selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, appears to be emerging as a serious candidate for a roster spot or two-way contract with the Miami Heat.
White, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound, 23-year-old Dallas native — who averaged 13.5 points (on 47.1% shooting; 3 of 7 from 3) and 4.0 rebounds in two games in the recent California Classic — scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while playing 24 minutes in Miami’s 119-86 victory over Milwaukee on Friday in the two teams’ opening game in the Las Vegas summer league.
White — he also played for USC, Louisville and Illinois in his four-year college career — hit 5 of 11 shots (2 of 6 from 3) against the Bucks. He also had two assists and a steal in 24 minutes.
White had five blocked shots in his two games in the California Classic.
After the draft, he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Heat, which assured him a summer-league roster spot and invitation to preseason training camp. If he is waived by Miami before the regular season begins but spends at least 60 days with Miami’s G League affiliate (Sioux Falls) he could earn a bonus of $91,000. The contract can be converted to a two-way deal up until opening night.
“White has caught the attention of Heat fans with his size and shooting ability. He has played solid defense through two summer league games and brought energy every time he stepped on the floor,” SI.com’s Adel Burton wrote at the conclusion of the California Classic in San Francisco.
“The coaching staff took a good look at him by giving him the ball to see what he could do. He took some bad shots, made some mistakes but never let it shake his confidence. He had a monster baseline jam. I can see a clear 3&D role for him if he can limit turnovers, knock down 3’s and attack close outs. The key will be making good decisions passing the ball if they take away the driving lanes,” Burton added.
Matt Hanifan of hothoops.com wrote after the California Classic: “White did whatever was required of him. He was one of the Heat’s better connectors in the 50 minutes he played. Miami likes those kinds of players. If he continues this play this way in Las Vegas, look for him to secure a two-way — whether it’s with the Heat or someone else.”
He capped his four-year college career by averaging 13.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game his senior season for the Jayhawks (24-11). Earlier he’d attended USC, Louisville and Illinois. At KU He hit 45.0% of his shots including 40.3% from 3-point range while averaging 31.3 minutes a game in 35 games (all starts).
Mitchell scores eight points: Former Missouri forward Mark Mitchell scored eight points on 3-of-5 shooting (0 for 2 from 3) in Denver’s 97-86 loss to Houston in the Vegas summer league opener for both teams. He had three rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.
Mitchell is on an Exhibit 10 deal with the Denver Nuggets..
“Mitchell projects as a versatile forward who can finish above the rim, defend multiple positions and do some secondary playmaking. His four-year college pedigree, McDonald’s All-American background and senior-year breakout point to a player ready to step into a rotation spot. NBA comparisons to Mitchell can be made to players like Jared Vanderbilt, Precious Achiuwa and Naji Marshall,” wrote SI.com.
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Gary Bedore covers KU basketball for The Kansas City Star. He has written about the Jayhawks since 1978 — during the Ted Owens, Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self eras. He has won the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year award and KPA writing awards.