Flames sign Nebraska standout

(11/20/03)

After scooping up several Chicago Public League players the past couple of years, UIC coach Jimmy Collins has started to go national with his recruiting.

Wednesday’s edition of the Omaha World-Herald said that Omaha Central star guard Karl White was going to sign with the Flames. White, a 6-foot-1-inch shooting guard, averaged 16.9 points as a junior for coach Eric Behrens.

He was named All-Nebraska Third Team and was the only junior on the Omaha All-Metro Conference First Team. According to the World-Herald, one local coach called White “the best offensive player in the state.”

White can score from about anywhere on the floor, mixing a perimeter game and slashing moves to the basket with a mid-range jumper.

His top game came against Bellevue West where he scored 31 points made 5-of-7 three-pointers in an 88-82 victory in the Metro Conference Holiday Tournament championship on Dec. 31, 2002.

White’s athletic feats aren’t limited to basketball court. He also runs track and excels in the 110-yard hurdles, finishing third in the conference meet. He also runs in the 400- and 800-yard relays.

White is Collins’ second high school recruit from outside Illinois in the past two years. He signed Florida All-Stater Jovan Stefanov in the spring of 2002.

The Flames also received some bad news on the recruiting front. Young’s Sterling Williams, who had been strongly considering UIC, signed with Northwestern Wednesday.

THEY STILL LIKE US: Even with the loss to Oakland, the Associated Press poll had UIC with two points, down from three in the preseason poll. Also, Sports Illustrated has the Flames as the No. 47 team in the nation and representing the Horizon League in the NCAA tournament.