Life outside LV to White’s liking

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SAN DIEGO — Born and raised in Las Vegas, Billy White entertained thoughts of staying home to play college basketball at UNLV. He considered the idea briefly, and it bored him.

But Rebels coach Lon Kruger is not to blame for letting another local prospect get away. It was a recruiting game Kruger had little or no chance to win.

“My mom didn’t want me to stay home,” White said, “and I didn’t want to stay home.”

Simple as that, the Green Valley High School graduate was determined to get out of his hometown.

“Some people kind of gave me a hard time and said, ‘You should have stayed home,’ ” White said. “But I just wanted to see something else. I didn’t want to be in Las Vegas my whole life, or my whole college career.”

Halfway through his freshman season at San Diego State, White has no reason to second-guess his decision. The 6-foot-8-inch forward is starting for the Aztecs alongside a childhood friend.

The top spot in the Mountain West Conference will be up for grabs when UNLV (14-4, 3-1) faces first-place San Diego State (14-5, 4-1) at 1 p.m. today at Cox Arena.

The Rebels are in a three-way tie for second place with Brigham Young and Texas Christian.

The Aztecs are looking to bounce back from a 59-56 loss at BYU on Wednesday, a game in which White had 13 points and seven rebounds.

White, a starter in 16 of 19 games, is averaging 8.3 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 57.5 percent from the field. None of those numbers surprise Kruger, who attempted to sign White.

“He was set on getting out of the area for personal reasons, and that’s his choice,” Kruger said. “He’s had a very good freshman year.”

White said he listened to what Kruger had to offer, and UNLV made his short list of finalists that included Arizona, Southern California and Washington.

“(Kruger) tried to recruit me. He talked to my mom, and he understood why. I was looking at UNLV, and they really wanted me to commit early, but I wasn’t ready yet,” White said.

“I’m really happy here. I’m a big part of this team.”

The leader of San Diego State’s team is junior guard Lorrenzo Wade, and that partly explains why White is starring for the Aztecs.

White was 7 years old when he became friends with Wade, a Cheyenne High product. They grew up a few minutes apart in the same neighborhood.

“When I was young, I would see him at the playground and he helped me out with my game,” White said. “I always wanted to play with him, and I’m finally getting my chance.”

Wade is San Diego State’s leading scorer at 15.4 points per game. He played at Louisville as a freshman before transferring.

Wade, who has blossomed into one of the Mountain West’s top talents, combines with White and forwards Ryan Amoroso and Kyle Spain to form arguably the conference’s most athletic lineup. Those four scored all 56 of the Aztecs’ points in the loss to BYU.

“The depth of their ability to score is impressive,” Kruger said. “Wade is the guy they seem to gear off of, because he’s good in the post, can knock down a 3 and is very good in the midrange game.”

Wade and White, two Las Vegas products, promise to give the Rebels all they can handle.

“I wasn’t expecting to come in as a freshman and start. It’s way more than I expected,” White said. “Everybody can score, and what I like about this team is I don’t have selfish teammates.

“I’m very fired up to play against the Rebels.”

• NOTES — UNLV senior point guard Curtis Terry (back spasms) practiced Friday and said he is in good shape to play today. … Wade scored 15 points as the Aztecs beat the Rebels 67-52 last year at Cox Arena.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2907.