The buzz surrounding Late Night is undeniable, especially for a number of Jayhawk players!
By now, many of you are familiar with Tre White's journey. He committed to the University of Kansas while still a sophomore in high school, yet it took him several detours through schools like USC, Louisville, and Illinois before finally making his way to Lawrence for his college basketball career.
As we look ahead to the upcoming season, this narrative will resurface time and again. Consider this: when White scores his 12th point of the season, he will officially make his entry into the esteemed 1,000-point club, prompting reflections on whether he ever imagined achieving all those points while donning a Jayhawk jersey.
Moreover, during the non-conference games at home against teams like UConn, on the road at North Carolina, and in New York City against Duke, White will share his thoughts—similar to many before him—on how playing at Kansas is a dream come true.
White describes this upcoming season as a 'full-circle experience,' which kicks off on Friday night when he finally steps into the arena for Late Night in the Phog.
After committing to KU in 2019, Tre White—then a 5-star recruit from the high school class of 2022—expressed his eagerness to not just join the team, but also to be a part of Late Night, which, unfortunately, never materialized until now. This excitement encapsulates why he is so eager for the official start of the 2025-26 Kansas basketball season, which has already been buzzing with practices for weeks.
"Honestly, it feels the same now as it did back in 2019 when I was a sophomore," White shared. "I’m thrilled about stepping into this vibrant, electrifying atmosphere filled with incredible athletic talent—it gives me that same exhilarating sensation as when I was a kid."
It’s important to note that Tre is no longer that wide-eyed kid. When he initially committed, he was listed at 6-foot-5 and 175 pounds, with some considering him a point guard. Now, he commands a solid 6-foot-7 frame, weighing in at 215 pounds, and is poised to start at the 4 position for KU this season. Despite his size and experience, White finds himself on the verge of a unique milestone—one that many college players may never experience.
Late Night is widely regarded as one of the premier season kickoff events in college basketball. For White, it embodies a rich heritage and prestige linked to Kansas as a blue blood program. Reflecting on this, he remarked, "It’s the tradition and the prestige that make it special. Growing up, I always heard about the legacy, with players being drafted and all the victories. Watching clips of Late Night, it looks like pure energy, but nothing compares to actually experiencing it. I know it’s going to be sold out, it’s going to be a blast, and we’re going to compete!"
Anticipation is building for Friday night, as shared on social media by the official Kansas Basketball account, "Friday can't come soon enough" alongside an enthusiastic tweet.
Coach Bill Self has consistently expressed his reservations about making sweeping judgments based solely on what unfolds during the Late Night scrimmage, a stance that is unlikely to change anytime soon. Even so, Self mentioned on Wednesday that he expects the event to be enjoyable and reflected on how it has evolved over the years.
Historically, Late Night served as a critical recruiting event where top-tier basketball talents—regardless of whether they ultimately signed with Kansas—filled seats behind the Kansas bench. It was commonplace to see multiple five-star recruits in attendance, as KU fought to entice them to choose their program over rivals like Duke and Kentucky during this significant kickoff event.
However, according to Self, this year, Kansas only has one official visitor set to be present.
"It's undeniably an important recruiting situation," he remarked. "But in many ways, it doesn't carry the same weight as it has in the past. It’s still a great weekend, but it feels like we used to rely heavily on this one weekend to showcase what we have to offer. Nowadays, it seems less crucial to make it all happen during that one specific weekend."
Such is the state of college basketball today, where the transfer portal plays an increasingly pivotal role. Yet, for a few hours this Friday night, Late Night will still hold immense significance for both the players and the fans who attend.
This sentiment is echoed by five-star recruit Darryn Peterson, who expressed his excitement during KU’s media day this week. "I can’t wait! It’s my first time playing on that court in front of a packed arena with fans eager to see us perform, so I’m ready to put on a show for everyone!"
To secure tickets for all Kansas athletic events, visit kuathletics.com.
