Katz: Romello White can be difference between ASU NIT and NCAA berth

Coming off the first back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in team history, there’s a lot to be excited about for ASU men’s basketball.

Players including Remy Martin, Kimani Lawrence and Rob Edwards return. Khalid Thomas, one of the top JuCo recruits, chose Tempe as his transfer destination. Highly-ranked freshmen including Jaelen House and Jalen Graham have come aboard.

But if there’s one thing that can separate the Sun Devils from the middle-of-the road teams and help them reach their third-straight tournament, it might be Romello White.

That’s according to NCAA reporter Andy Katz. He listed White as one of nine “glue guys” whose leadership can most help their respective teams.

Remy Martin is the star of this squad, but White is one of the more consistent and reliable players who will be the difference between an NIT and NCAA berth.

Over the redshirt junior’s first two years of play, White has started all but four games and averages 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds over his career while shooting above 62% from the field.

He is the longest-tenured player on the team.

In November last year, head coach Bobby Hurley told Cronkite News that White was being a vocal teammate.

White said he was trying to be a bigger presence and leader on the team.

Follow @Logan_Newsman