Nakavieon White is attempting to avoid a sophomore slump.

Through nine games, so far, so good.

The Permian boys basketball team holds a 7-2 record, while White is averaging 13 points per contest with a season-high output of 20 against Fort Trimble Tech and Lubbock Monterey.

“Nakavieon is a gamer and he’s obviously very talented,” Permian head coach Tim Thomas said. “He can contribute in many ways than just scoring. He has touched upon a small percentage of what he could be able to do.”

White, who is a 6-foot-6 forward, used the offseason to work on his perimeter shooting.

The sophomore has sunk 16 3-pointers in nine games. He has already surpassed last year’s total points for the season (96) with 117 in his sophomore campaign.

“I feel like I’ve played pretty well, but I haven’t played to my potential,” White said. “I feel like I’m going to get better as a player throughout the season and we are going to get better as a team.”

As a freshman, White averaged 2.9 points per game and helped the team win a bi-district championship over El Paso Coronado at Sul Ross State University in Alpine.

White scored a season-high 12 points during a District 2-6A victory over Midland High. That was only contest he scored double-digit points. White has reached in double figures seven times this season.

“I wasn’t as nervous this year as I was last year,” White said. “I’m just ready to play now. Last year, I was kind of nervous. I went through all that last year. I’m good now.”

White is the younger brother of senior guards Elijah White and Derrick Wright.

Elijah White said Nakavieon has progressed from his freshman to sophomore season.

“He’s improved a lot from last year,” Elijah White said in a preseason interview.

However, the biggest reason for Nakavieon White to take that next step is help fill in the scoring shoes of 2017 Permian graduate Anthony Thomas. He averaged a team-high 16.6 points per game and was held to single digits once during his senior campaign.

The Panthers continue their nondistrict schedule with the Decatur Invitational Tournament beginning Thursday.

“If we progress, keep growing and listen to Coach Thomas, we can keep winning,” White said.
