Fresh Power from Down Under: FC Bayern Basketball has signed Australian forward Jack White until the end of the season. The 27-year-old joins from NBL club Melbourne United, with whom he recently reached the championship finals. The Munich club is responding to recent injury-related shortages in the frontcourt with the addition of the two-meter-tall Duke University graduate. A former NBA player with 21 appearances for the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, as well as an Australian national team member, White will bolster the German champions’ roster for domestic competition. He successfully completed his medical checks in Munich on Friday and becomes the first Australian player to wear the FCBB jersey. He will wear number 4.
“An Outstanding Competitor”
“Our team has achieved great things over the past few months – first playing for weeks without Vlado and Niels, then without Devin and Oscar – showing incredible dedication and unity,” said Sporting Director Dragan Tarlac. “But our season will hopefully run into late June, and with the addition of Jack, we want to give our coaches and especially the players a high-quality option to relieve pressure in the frontcourt. Jack is an outstanding competitor who will give everything for the team in every game, especially with his strengths on defense and on the boards. We’re very excited that he’s chosen to take on his first European challenge with us.”
Jack White, who primarily plays the four spot on the wing, fought for his second NBL title with Melbourne United through mid-March – having already won in 2021. His 17 points and seven rebounds weren’t enough to prevent a 2–3 loss in the deciding game against Illawarra (Wollongong). Averaging 8.9 rebounds per game, he was the third-best rebounder in the Australian league and, with 13.3 points per game (57.1% FG, 36.1% from three), the second-leading scorer on the finalist team.
I can defend, rebound, play above the rim and shoot it well from the perimeter, however I just want to play hard, be a great teammate, and make the most of this opportunity.
Jack White
Part of the 2023 NBA Champion Team
In the 2022/2023 season, Jack White was part of the Denver Nuggets roster, the eventual NBA champions, making 17 appearances. The following year, he played four games for the Memphis Grizzlies. During both seasons, he also saw action in the NBA G League, where he averaged 13.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
With the Australian national team, White competed at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. One of the Boomers’ group stage opponents was eventual world champion Germany, led by coach Gordon Herbert (82–85 loss).
White will meet Bayern head coach Gordon Herbert and his new team for the first time on Saturday. On Sunday (6 p.m.), Bayern will host fifth-placed Braunschweig at BMW Park in the German BBL.
"Bayern just seemed like a perfect situation for me"
“Bayern just seemed like a perfect situation for me to come in and have a great experience. From the coaching staff, talented roster, and incredible city, I believe this is the best situation for me to have a positive experience for my first professional stint in Europe. I just want to contribute to winning. Obviously joining the group later in the season I want to try and fit in and just help the team get wins. I can defend, rebound, play above the rim and shoot it well from the perimeter, however I just want to play hard, be a great teammate, and make the most of this opportunity.”
White’s qualities were already on display during his college years at the prestigious Duke University in North Carolina, where he served as team captain for the Blue Devils in his final two seasons. He began his professional career in 2020 with Melbourne United. In 2022, he impressed during the NBA Summer League and earned a spot with the Nuggets around Nikola Jokić. A year later, he was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA G League Draft and went on to play for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. After a short stint with the Grizzlies in April 2024, he returned to Melbourne.
JACKSON THOMAS WHITE
(*August 5, 1997 – Traralgon, Victoria, Australia)
Forward – 2.00 m – 104 kg
Career Timeline:
-
2015: Lake Ginninderra College, Canberra (High School)
-
2016 – 2020: Duke University (NCAA)
-
2020 – 2022: Melbourne United (NBL / Australia)
-
2022 – 2023: Denver Nuggets (NBA) & Grand Rapids Gold (NBA G League)
-
2023 – 2024: South Bay Lakers (NBA G League)
-
April 2024: Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
-
2024 – 2025: Melbourne United (NBL / Australia)
Honors & Achievements:
-
NBA Champion (2023)
-
Australian NBL Champion (2021)
-
Universiade Bronze Medalist (2019)
-
FIBA U17 World Championship Silver Medalist (2014)
-
ACC All-Academic Team Selection (2019, 2020 – NCAA)