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Chicago Hoop Star Paul White, Now a Hoya, Back Home To Take on DePaul

By Justin Breen | January 13, 2015 7:51am
 Whitney Young graduate Paul White is faring well in his first season at Georgetown.
Paul White
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CHICAGO — Paul White will have quite the cheering section at Tuesday's Georgetown-DePaul game.

The Whitney Young graduate and Hoyas freshman forward expects to have at least 45-50 family members and friends in attendance at Allstate Arena, including many he hasn't seen in months.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve seen family and friends, and now that they can all gather at this one event, it’s going to be fun to reunite with them," said White, whose Hoyas (10-5) face DePaul (9-8) at 8 p.m. Tuesday in a game televised on Fox Sports 1.

White, reached after his team arrived in Chicago late Monday night, grew up in Hyde Park and has several relatives who live on the West Side. He was a Dolphins captain as a junior and senior, averaging 22 points and nine rebounds last season as Whitney Young won the IHSA Class 4A state title.

Through 15 collegiate games — all off the bench — the 6-foot-8 forward has averaged 7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Hoyas.

"The [Georgetown] coaching staff did a really good job in easing the transition," White said. "They have a lot of faith in me, and when someone has faith in you that makes you want to do better. I didn’t want to disappoint this program and I’ve picked up my play from there.

"Now that we’re starting to find our roles on this team, things are starting to come much easier," White said. "It’s really helped us to support one another."

White said he's adjusted well to the college game, which is "very aggressive."

"Conference play is even tougher because teams know you like the back of their hand and you really have to come out with your hard hat every night," White said.

The biggest difference with living in the nation's capital is getting used to the way its "loopy" streets are set up — a big switch from Chicago's grid system, White said.

"Yes, I miss Chicago, but D.C. is treating me well," he said.

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