Rico White has been a shooting guard ever since his high school days. So when he had to move to the point this season, it was a big adjustment. Said head coach John Shulman,"It is as big as changing from running back to quarterback. He changed from the wing to the point." Said White,"You've got to talk the whole time. Got to make sure your teammates know what is going on. Got to be responsible for everybody on the floor. I now have a new found respect for point guards." Added Shulman,"I have given him a lot of grief because he hasn't been perfect at it all the time, but it's really a difficult transition."
The shift to the point may have affected White's three-point shooting. Last year as a freshman, he canned 40-percent of his three's. This year, he's hitting just 26-percent behind the arc. Said Shulman,"He's still as good a shooter, but he's not getting those shots he got last year." Said White,"I don't feel like it's just the point guard position. I feel like I'm just not making the shots. I've got to start knocking them down." Added Shulman,"Rico, you are a very good stand-still three-point shooter, so keep on taking those. I don't care if you miss ten of them. If they are open, take those. I'm just trying to pump a little confidence into his head."
White still has plenty of confidence at the foul line. He's an 83-percent free throw shooter. Said White,"Just relax. Don't worry about anything. The other guys from the other team are going to say something to you. You just block that out."
The biggest struggle for White might be UTC's 17 losses this year. In high school, White endured a total of twelve losses. Said White,"Starting from last year, it was very difficult. After losses, I would just go in my room and shut down. This year, I'm still shutting down. I dont' ever want to get used to losing."
