Photo. Indiana University

First of all, Lance Stephenson – take a good long look at D.J. White before making your decision about where you want to play at the next level. Eric Gordon was in Lance’s position not too long ago, wavering between Bloomington and Champaign. No matter what pushed him to IU, the biggest (literally) reason for his success as the nation’s top scoring freshman is the Hoosier’s big man in the middle. He draws double-teams and shot blockers away from Gordon, allowing the freshman room to roam like no other freshman in the country.

And luckily for White, it’s a two-way street. Before EG23’s arrival on campus, White was an above-average post player with one major weakness. He couldn’t deal with double-teams. Frankly, he still can’t. During last night’s slim win over Minnesota, White had three turnovers, all of which seemed to come when a defender doubled him off of his sizeable blind side. D.J.’s first instinct is to put the ball on the floor and improve his position to score. But that also allows hovering defenders to pounce, and thus swipe the rock.

As IU’s primary option last year, White seemed perpetually frustrated at his performance – 13.8 points and 7.3 boards per game – numbers that he knew weren’t his best. This year, Gordon’s deep range and prolific scoring has forced defenses to play White honestly. He’s seized that opportunity, improving his averages to career bests, 16.6 points and 10.8 boards per night on an incredible 63% shooting from the field. He’s absolutely feasting on one-on-one matchups. Last night White recorded his fifth consecutive double-double, and his twelfth out of the last thirteen games.

White owes Gordon a serious thank-you. Actually the two have grown to be close friends. “We have a great relationship,” White told SI‘s Luke Winn. “He’s a very quiet guy in public, but he talks a lot around the team. Me and him are getting closer and closer every day; we talk all the time now. And he doesn’t have a car on campus, so if he needs a ride, I always give him one.”

“[Gordon] also can eat a lot,” continued White. “The way his body is like — with no fat — you wouldn’t know it, but he’ll eat like three hamburgers at a time. He has a huge appetite. He can easily out-eat me.” Sure he can.

It’s because of White’s one-on-one ability that he will be a very strong NBA player. There is no chance that he sees double-teams during his rookie season. And though many of the power forwards in the League will stand taller than his 6-9 frame, his reliable jump hook is an NBA ready move geared towards dealing with bigger competition. Plus, he’s got a 251 lbs. (he’s probably closer to 260 lbs.) rump that will make a mockery of a Hakim Warrick mismatch.

Realistically, White will still have a glaring weakness when he steps up to the next level. He’s currently projected to be a first-rounder heading to the Spurs, where he’ll need to be able to defend. Minnesota’s talented post duo of Dan Coleman and Spencer Tollackson put in work offensively, combining for 27 points, most of them in and around the paint last night. There was a momentum-shifting and-1 converted by Coleman when he was fouled by White within five feet of the rim.

While D.J. would abuse a skinnier defender with his powerful jump hook, he would also struggle mightily to keep that man from dropping buckets on the other end. Ultimately that offense-for-defense give-and-take will determine where he falls in the draft. But he’ll be there.