White Making Up For Lost Time
Aug 20 2009 4:17PM
While most of his teammates left town at the end of the season, Thunder forward D.J. White has remained put for the most part.
White, coming off an injury-shortened rookie season, said he is trying to make up for lost time.
The last two-plus months have allowed him to do so.
After missing the season’s first 75 games with a benign tumor in his jaw, White has spent the off-season bulking up and doing plenty of skill work. He said he’s already up to 235 pounds, and said he’d like to tack on five more.
Whether at the Thunder practice facility or back home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., White has remained busy.
“I’m pretty much feeling like my old self,” White said. “I’ve had a chance to do a lot of things I haven’t done in the past couple of months. I can workout fully, no restrictions. I can lift weights. I can eat what I want to. I feel good right now.”
White said that a summer vacation is in the works, but he admitted he doesn’t have much time on his hands. He already hosted a basketball camp in his hometown and plans to head back to Indiana University for another. He’s been in Oklahoma City for the past two weeks and will remain here as the Thunder prepares for two summer leagues -- in Orlando and Las Vegas -- scheduled for the first three weeks of July.
White also welcomed an old friend to the Thunder family when the organization acquired University of Alabama-Birmingham guard Robert Vaden on draft day. White and Vaden were college roommates at Indiana for two years before Vaden transferred. The two have kept in touch ever since.
All in all, White said he has had a productive summer.
“I’m in a good position,” he said. “I’ve still got the rest of the summer, so I feel good right now.”
Contact Chris Silva
White, coming off an injury-shortened rookie season, said he is trying to make up for lost time.
The last two-plus months have allowed him to do so.
After missing the season’s first 75 games with a benign tumor in his jaw, White has spent the off-season bulking up and doing plenty of skill work. He said he’s already up to 235 pounds, and said he’d like to tack on five more.
Whether at the Thunder practice facility or back home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., White has remained busy.
“I’m pretty much feeling like my old self,” White said. “I’ve had a chance to do a lot of things I haven’t done in the past couple of months. I can workout fully, no restrictions. I can lift weights. I can eat what I want to. I feel good right now.”
White said that a summer vacation is in the works, but he admitted he doesn’t have much time on his hands. He already hosted a basketball camp in his hometown and plans to head back to Indiana University for another. He’s been in Oklahoma City for the past two weeks and will remain here as the Thunder prepares for two summer leagues -- in Orlando and Las Vegas -- scheduled for the first three weeks of July.
White also welcomed an old friend to the Thunder family when the organization acquired University of Alabama-Birmingham guard Robert Vaden on draft day. White and Vaden were college roommates at Indiana for two years before Vaden transferred. The two have kept in touch ever since.
All in all, White said he has had a productive summer.
“I’m in a good position,” he said. “I’ve still got the rest of the summer, so I feel good right now.”
Contact Chris Silva
