Centennial boy’s basketball head coach Allen Whitehart has referred to senior point guard Devonta White as “a jet” on the basketball court. Off the hardwood, Whitehart calls White “quiet and laid back.”

This much is certain: when the lights come on, White’s play does all the talking for the Knights – even if it is challenging for spectators’ eyes to keep up.

“He’s playing extremely well,” Whitehart said of White. “He understands the game and has a knack for making big plays.”

The Knights were champions of the Roundball Classic, held in Charleston, S.C. from Dec. 28-30, and White was the star. The senior averaged 17.3 points per game in three Centennial wins, and hit the game-winner with less than 15 seconds remaining in the final round to propel the Knights to a 55-54 overtime victory over St. Johns (D.C.).

After Centennial lost three starters from last year’s Class-AAAAA Sweet 16 team, Whitehart told White he needed to shoulder more of the leadership role this season. The Georgia State University signee has responded.

“We had that conversation, where I said, ‘This is what I need out of you.’ I put a lot of pressure on him,” said Whitehart, who noted White is scorching the nets at a high percentage.

“He’s stepped up and exceeded even my expectations.”