I think if he went to Duke with an understanding of how things were likely to play out, he's probably ok with where he's up to right now. The best Duke teams usually have a junior or senior who didn't do much in the first couple of years because he was recruited over, but those guys eventually get an opportunity through a combination of their own readiness and K missing on a recruit. By then, they have an understanding of the system, some leadership ability, and can be critical to the team's success. Tyler Thornton, Josh Hairston, Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, Amile Jefferson. Even Mason Plumlee was uninspiring as an underclassman.
More recently, a lot of the guys who could have followed that trajectory have transferred out of the program after a year. Derryck Thornton, Alex Murphy, Semi Ojeleye, Elliot Williams, Michael Gbinije, Chase Jeter.
I think White's talented enough that if he sticks around for 3 or 4 years, he could start for a good Duke team. K's tendency towards guard-heavy teams means he's often using a 3 in the 4 spot these days; that's predominantly where Tatum, Ingram and Winslow played. So White has the opportunity to slot in anywhere from 2-4. Even next season, Allen, Duval, Trent Jr and Carter will play, but I don't think there's anyone on the roster who's a lock for big minutes beyond that. Bolden couldn't play 3 minutes without fouling last year. Tucker, O'Connell and Goldwire all look like 4-year guys. DeLaurier and Vrankovic both did some nice things in limited opportunities while displaying significant limitations last year, which is pretty much the same as White.
So, after a freshman year in which he was competing for time with 4 NBA draft picks, the pre-season favourite for the Naismith award and 2 returning senior starters? Yeah I don't think I'd make a call right now.
