COACH GREG WHITE
Greg is a native of Mullens, West Virginia (same hometown as NBA coach Mike D'Antoni). He was a highly recruited high school All-American scoring 50 points with 15 assists in the same game playing for legendary Coach Don Nuckols. As a senior, he was named West Virginia High School Player of the Year and he was selected to tour with the United States All-Stars in the United States and Canada. In 1990, Greg was inducted into the Mullens High School Hall of Fame. In 2019, Greg was inducted into West Virginia's Sports Legends Hall of Fame.
Greg played college basketball at Marshall University where he earned two degrees, Bachelor's Degree in Business and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management. On the court, he rocketed to stardom starting 113 consecutive games at the point guard position and he still holds records at Marshall for 18 assists in a single game and 3-point shooting from the 22-foot arc. He is second all-time with 701 career assists at Marshall. Greg is a member of the 1,000-point club, a two-time Marshall MVP, a two-time team captain, and a three-time All-Southern Conference selection. In 1979-80, Greg's Marshall team shot 32 for 32 from the free-throw line against Davidson in a 115-97 home win which still stands as an NCAA record. In 1981, Greg was 1 of 64 college seniors selected to participate in the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Portsmouth, Virginia for the NBA and European professional teams. In 1993, Greg was inducted into the Marshall University Hall of Fame.
All toll, Greg spent three decades in college basketball. During his career as a player, head coach, and assistant coach, Greg participated in more than 500 victories and coached five NBA players and 51 European pros. He managed to maintain a 95% graduation rate and his graduates work successfully in various walks of life. After his playing career, he became the youngest head coach in the country (age 25) at the University of Pikeville where he coached NBA draft pick Todd May (40 ppg). He was head coach at several other well-known schools such as Marshall University and the University of Charleston (also special assistant to the UC President) where he won several championships, won 195 games, and finished his career as the school’s second-winningest coach. He also served as assistant basketball coach at UCLA (11 National Championships) where he became a part of the UCLA storied championship tradition. He worked for National Championship Head Coach Jim Harrick and assisted alongside Lorenzo Romar (Head Coach Pepperdine University) and Steve Lavin (Head Coach University of San Diego-California). Greg ran the famed UCLA basketball camps that were ultra-successful!
In 1996, Greg left UCLA to become Marshall University’s head basketball coach (following ex-Florida and NBA’s Chicago Bulls Coach Billy Donovan). Greg held that position for seven years, during which he had numerous accomplishments including being the 1997 Southern Conference "Coach of the Year" and a $6 million renovation of the Cam Henderson Center. As Marshall’s head coach, Greg’s teams won 115 games and were 87-17 (84%) in home games in Marshall’s Cam Henderson Center and 33-3 (91%) in non-conference home games beating foes like the University of Massachusetts, the University of Georgia, Wake Forest University and the University of Detroit. Greg's Marshall teams scored wins over every Southern Conference and Mid-American Conference teams during his tenure.
Greg's 2002 Marshall team lead all of college basketball (351 NCAA D-I teams) in a 3-point field goal percentage of 44%. The 2002 team set a school record of 19 3's in one game. During his tenure at Marshall, Greg had one player, Keith Veney, who hit 15 3's in a game that still serves as an NCAA record. Another player, Ronald Blackshear, had 11 consecutive 3's in a game which tied an NCAA record on his way to hitting 14 3's. His Marshall team had a record-setting 27-home-game winning streak. He successfully guided Marshall from the Southern Conference to the Mid-American Conference and took Marshall's graduation rate from the worst in the Mid-American Conference to the BEST! Greg finished his coaching career as the fourth-winningest coach (29 coaches) in school basketball history! Greg's 2001 Marshall team set a school scoring record with a129-126 victory over Western Michigan in triple overtime.
Greg was known for his recruiting prowess and frequent top 50 recruiting classes, including Marshall’s first NBA player in 30 years, Tamar Slay (WV High School Player of the Year). Greg also recruited J.R. VanHoose (Kentucky’s 1990’s Player of the Decade). Vanhoose, Slay, and Travis Young were recently inducted into Marshall’s Hall of Fame. Vanhoose is Marshall's second-leading rebounder. Additional Herd signees during his tenure include Cornelious Jackson and Joda Burgess who were also WV High School Players of the Year. Greg recruited 18 All-Conference selections during his time at Marshall.
Greg’s leadership and mentoring abilities propelled many assistant coaches and players to head coaching positions and top assistant positions including Head Coach Kevin Keatts (North Carolina State University), Assistant Coach Steve Snell (North Carolina State), Head Coach Donnie Jones (Stetson University), Assistant Coach Shawn Finney (Stetson University), Head Coach Mark Downey (Arkansas Tech University), Head Coach Cornelius Jackson (Marshall University), Head Coach Bryan Poore (West Virginia State University), Head Coach Jeff Burkhamer (University of West Florida - Retired), Head Coach Jeff Boals (Ohio University), Assistant Coach Dave Dickerson (Ohio State University), Head Coach Steve Hettinga (Lake Superior State University), Head Coach A.W. Hamilton (Eastern Kentucky University) and Head Coach Gregg Marshall (Wichita State University - Retired), Head Coach John Brannen (University of Cincinnati - Retired).
Additionally, Greg worked for Head Coach Dana Altman (University of Oregon) and assisted alongside Bob Marlin (Head Coach University of Lafayette), Brian Fish (Assistant Coach University of Oregon), and NBA assistant and executive Bob Zuffelato (Toronto Raptors retired) as a student assistant at Marshall.
Greg's basketball camps at Marshall University and the University of Charleston are the largest sports camps in the history of each school attracting over 1,000 participants during their peak. Greg's basketball camps are also the largest in the history of sports camps in the state of West Virginia, attracting over 45,000 participants from 37 states and several European countries. As such, it has been said Greg is the "most photographed" man in the state of West Virginia because of all the individual pictures he has taken with his campers. Many of Greg's campers have gone on to sign full basketball scholarships! His Wizard White ball handling show has been performed at hundreds of top universities, colleges, and blue-chip basketball camps all over the world. He has also performed at numerous NBA and European professional league halftime shows, captivating thousands and thousands of spectators with his wizardry.
In 2010, Greg left coaching and joined longtime friend Jeff Schneider (former Virginia Tech great) as an investor and partner with BigShots.net, the nation's premier provider of grass-roots basketball tournaments! BIG SHOTS is the largest basketball company in the world with 57,613 players and 4,658 teams participating in BIG SHOTS events in 2021-2022 throughout the United States.
In 2012, Greg started the highly successful BIG SHOTS Basketball Camp. The camps had been ultra-successful in attracting outstanding talent and were known for teaching basketball fundamentals. The camp greatly emphasized teaching campers and parents about the complexities of the college recruiting process. Goal setting was also taught at the camp relative to performance in the classroom, on the court, and in the biggest game of all the "GAME OF LIFE". In 2017 Greg transitioned the camp into a highly successful consulting firm (Recruiting Success Expander). The firm specializes in working with prospective players and their parents on how to navigate the complexities of the recruiting process, helping them find the right college whether it's DIV I, DIV II, DIV III, NAIA, and Junior College. Click here to learn more.
Greg has been a motivational speaker and a consultant for Converse, Reebok, AND1, and Nike Jumpman. In 2010, he started GregWhiteSpeaks.com, an international speaking firm that focuses on goal-setting, attitude, and peak performance. He has spoken for many top United States companies and corporations such as Mercedes, BMW, Ford, Chevrolet, Wendy's, Little Caesars, Subway, IBM, NiSource, Columbia Gas, BB&T Banks, Huntington Banks, United National Bank, Home Depot, West Virginia Lottery, Holzer Medical Clinics, St. Mary's Hospitals, Timken, Acordia, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, West Virginia Treasury Department, United States Education Department, AT&T, Exxon, State Farm, Nationwide, West Virginia Underwriters, Kentucky National Insurance Company, Chime Marketing Group, Cabell Huntington Hospitals, National Travel, National AAU, Capital Beverage Corporation, Special Olympics, Senior Olympics, Charleston Gazette Newspapers, PAC 12 Basketball Officials, and many more. He has spoken at hundreds of civic organizations assisting Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.
Greg is a frequent and popular speaker at colleges and universities and has spoken at UCLA, University of Kentucky, Ohio State University, University of Louisville, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, Kansas State University, University of Notre Dame, Iowa State University, Anderson University, Georgia State University, University of Virginia, University of Denver, Marshall University, University of Charleston, Clemson University, Mount Saint Mary's University, West Virginia State University, University of South Carolina, UNC Wilmington University, University of Maryland, Catholic University of America, Wake Forrest University, Virginia Tech, Georgetown College, Principia College, University of Northwestern Ohio, Berea College, State College of New York-Cobleskill, Ohio University, Virginia Military Institute, West Virginia University-Tech, Kentucky Christian College, University of Cumberland, Baptist Bible College, Transylvania University, University of Pikeville, Missouri Western State University, Bethany College, California State San Marcos, Bowling Green State University, Western Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Union College, Coastal Carolina University, Bellarmine University, Kentucky State University, University of Cumberlands, Northern Kentucky University, Concordia University, Marietta College, University of Rio Grande, University of Central Florida, Shawnee State University, Anderson University, Ball State University, University of Toledo, Miami University, Kent State University, University of Central Michigan, University of Northern Michigan, University of Akron, Eastern Michigan University, University of Buffalo, University of Northern Illinois, Western Michigan University, Concord University, University of Notre Dame, Georgetown University, University of Arizona, Florida State University, Villanova University, Temple University, University of Oregon, University of Washington, Arizona State University, University of Wisconsin, Stanford University, Louisiana State University, University of Colorado, University of Kansas, University of Minnesota, University of Iowa, University of Mississippi, University of Arkansas, University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Indiana State University, University of Montana, University of Utah, University of Wyoming, University of Michigan, University of Maine and many more as the list continues to grow.
Additionally, Greg has spoken at hundreds of high schools, junior high schools, grade schools, and prep schools sharing his WINNING EDGE educational program on listening, academic excellence, goal setting, saying no to drugs and alcohol, bullying, social media discipline, and much more.
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Coach White creates a special bond with many of his campers. Click here to read about one of them.
Education
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Master of Science, Sports Management - Marshall University
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Bachelor of Business, Marketing - Marshall University
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Mullens High School
Employment
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Owner Greg White Speaks
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Owner Greg White Basketball
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Owner Big Shots Elite Basketball Camp
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Head Basketball Coach, Assistant to the President - University of Charleston, 2003–2010
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Head Basketball Coach - Marshall University, 1996–2003
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Assistant Basketball Coach - UCLA, (11 National Championships),1995–1996 (Head coach Jim Harrick--National Championship Coach)
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Head Basketball Coach - University of Charleston, 1990–1995
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Assistant Basketball Coach - Marshall University, 1989–1990, (Head coach Dana Altman)
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Head Basketball Coach - University of Pikeville, 1984–1989
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Student Assistant Coach - Marshall University, 1981–1982, (Head coach Bob Zuffelato)
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Consultant and Speaker, Converse, 1979–1989
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Consultant and Speaker, Reebok, 1994–2002
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Consultant, AND 1, 2003
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Consultant, Nike, 2011--Present
Achievements
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Delivered over 3,000 motivational speeches
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500+ wins as a head coach, assistant coach, and player
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95% graduation rate as a head coach
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Coached five NBA players (UCLA and Marshall)
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Has attended 30 straight Final Fours as an NABC member
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1987 coached the nation’s leading scorer. (Todd May, 40ppg, University of Pikeville)
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1992 WVIAC Regular Season Champions (University of Charleston)
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1992 WVIAC Coach of the Year (University of Charleston)
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1993 WVIAC Tournament Champions (University of Charleston)
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1996 UCLA Pac-10 Champions - NCAA Tournament
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1996 Assistant Coach in NABC Final Four All-Star game (assistant to National Championship coach Jim Harrick-UCLA)
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1997 Southern Conference Champions (Marshall University)
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1997 Southern Conference Coach of the Year (Marshall University)
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Largest Basketball Camps in the history of Marshall University, University of Charleston, and in the state of West Virginia
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Conducted the famed UCLA Basketball Camps
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2019 inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
Player Achievements and Honors
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Earned and maintained basketball scholarship at Marshall University, 1977–1981
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All Southern Conference Selection, three times
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2-time MVP and Team Captain at Marshall University, 1979–1981
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113 consecutive starts at the point guard position
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Record 3-point shooter at Marshall 22 feet arc 1980-81
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Record 18 assists in one game
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Second all-time in career assists (701)
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Member 1000 Point Club
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Played in the Prestigious Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, 1981 (Portsmouth, Va)
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1977 High School All-American, Mullens High School, (played for legendary high school coach Don Nuckols)
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1977 WV High School Player of the Year
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1977 50 points and 15 assists in the same game
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1990 Mullens High School Hall of Fame Inductee
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1993 Marshall University Hall of Fame Inductee
Business Ventures
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Owner Greg White Speaks
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Owner Greg White Basketball
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Owner Big Shots Elite Basketball Camp
I am giving you the ball and naming you quarterback for your team in the game of life. I am your coach, so I’ll give it to you straight. There is only one schedule to play. It lasts all your life but consists of only one game. It is a long game with no time out and no substitutions. You play the whole game – all of your life. You’re calling the signals but your four teammates have great reputations; they are FAITH, COURAGE, LOYALTY, and DEDICATION. God is the referee and sole official. He makes all the rules and there is no appeal for them. There are ten rules. You know them as the Ten Commandments and you play them strictly in accordance with your own religion. There is also an important ground rule. It is “As ye would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise.”
Here is the ball. It is your immortal soul. Hold onto it. Now, get in there and let’s see what you can do with it.
Rules for the Game of Life
Coach Stu Aberdeen