Seeing his name alongside the likes of Hawks legends Mat Campbell and Glen Saville is something Kevin White will never take for granted.
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The tenacious guard will join the Illawarra greats in the club’s history books this Friday night when he officially steps out as the Hawks’ 12th captain for the first time.
He’s quick to admit it will be a ‘special’ honour.
It’s also something he ‘would never have thought’ was going to happen not too long ago. After being deemed surplus to requirements by the Sydney Kings at the end of 2014-15 season, White’s NBL career was at a crossroad.
The Hawks and coach Rob Beveridge offered him a lifeline. Now, two years on, he’s ready to repay the faith as he leads the competition’s last remaining foundation club into their 40th season.
“It’s humbling,” White, 30, reflects.
“Basketball as a career can be really short-lived for some guys and I have been fortunate I think.
”I think Stephen Weigh and Joe Ingles in that age group are the only guys who are still playing right now so that puts it into perspective.
“To come down to the Illawarra and be in the situation I am in [has been amazing]. I have found a home.
“I love the community and I love the club. I couldn’t be happier about the position I am in.”
White – with new vice captain Mitch Norton – will take over from club veterans Oscar Forman and Rhys Martin for the upcoming campaign.
He was informed a month ago by coach Rob Beveridge and owners James Spenceley and Simon Stratford and was quick to take the role with both hands.
"They said they believe what I bring to the club and what I am about is something what the region is known for – fighting and working hard,” White said.
"It doesn’t say that [Forman and Martin] haven’t done their job. They are great leaders in their own right. I still call them for advice.
"They have been unbelievable in the locker room helping me out with different things and around the club.
“They will continue to be there for support and for us to be successful all eleven of us have to lead at certain times. For me, I have just taken on that role as a captain and I am looking forward to the opportunity.”
White will lead a Hawks outfit which features nine players from last season’s squad that fell to Perth Wildcats in the NBL grand final series. He believes by keeping the club’s core together, and adding talented new imports Demitrius Conger and Delvon Johnson, Illawarra can reap the rewards in their title tilt.
“With nine guys returning, we can advance things a little more and get after it,” White said.
“We can get up the floor and trust in the system a little more and have more faith in each other.
“By doing that we can really work towards that end goal and that’s winning the championship That’s what we have been building for the past couple of years.”
The Hawks will begin their NBL campaign away against Cairns Taipans.
