Who is Jacari White? Virginia senior explodes for 26 points as Cavaliers survive upset scare from Wright State
Who is Jacari White? Virginia senior explodes for 26 points as Cavaliers survive upset scare from Wright State originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
On Friday afternoon, Virginia basketball got its first NCAA Tournament win since its national championship in 2019. In year one of the Ryan Odom era — who ironically was the coach of No. 16 UMBC when it defeated the No. 1 Cavaliers — era, the Cavs are on to the Round of 32 after an 82-73 win over Wright State.
At the center of the win was a fan favorite in Charlottesville, Jacari White. In the victory, White exploded for 26 points, a new career high, as the Cavaliers outscored the Raiders by 14 in the second half to secure the comeback.
Though this is White’s first and only year in Charlottesville, the graduate transfer from North Dakota State has wasted no time embedding himself into the fabric of the program. He arrived over the summer as a high-volume "sniper" to fit Odom’s more offensive-minded system, but he brought something more than just a jump shot: a personality that ignited a movement.
If you looked toward the stands in Philadelphia, you likely saw them — a sea of military-green t-shirts and headbands known as the "Jacarmy." As the Hoos prepare for the Round of 32, the Jacarmy is already mobilizing for Sunday. If Friday was any indication, the General isn't ready to end his tour of duty just yet.
Get to know White, the UVA star of Friday's win.
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Who is Jacari White?
White has become the emotional spark plug of year one of Ryan Odom era at Virginia. Standing 6-foot-3, the Orlando native arrived in Charlottesville after three standout seasons at North Dakota State and a stint in the JUCO ranks. White went from being an unranked recruit who once faced homelessness — at one point sleeping in his car and showering at the YMCA — to becoming one of the most feared sharpshooters in the country.
On the court, White effectively ended Virginia's reputation for stagnant offense. He etched his name into the UVA record books early in the 2025-26 season by making 12 consecutive three-pointers over a multi-game stretch, including a perfect 7-for-7 performance from deep against Dayton. While he often provides a scoring punch off the bench, his impact as a lockdown perimeter defender has made him an two-way asset in Odom’s fast-paced, redesigned system.
Beyond the box score, White has inspired a unique cultural phenomenon known as the "Jacarmy." This dedicated student fan brigade, led by second-year Ben Miller, attends games in military-themed attire and AI-generated T-shirts featuring White in uniform. The bond between the player and the "soldiers" is deeply personal; when White was sidelined with a wrist injury mid-season, the Jacarmy showed up to games with their own wrists taped in solidarity.
MORE: Wright State vs. Virginia box score
Jacari White stats vs. Wright State
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Points: 26
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Rebounds: 3
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Assists: 1
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Shots/Attempts: 10/12
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Three Point Shots/Attempts: 6/8
Friday was a pure explosion for White, who hit six of Virginia's 13 threes in the game and shot over 80% from the field overall. It marks a career high for the graduate transfer, who set that total earlier in the season against Dayton when he hit seven threes.
White was the only Cavalier to score over 12 points, providing the offense in a stage where Virginia has struggled in recent years.
How old is Jacari White?
White is 23 years old.
He was born on May 15, 2002, in Houston, Texas, before later moving to Orlando, Florida. As a graduate student in his first and only year at Virginia, he is one of the more experienced veterans on the roster, having played three seasons at North Dakota State and one year at the junior college level before arriving in Charlottesville.
Where is Jacari White from?
Originally from Orlando, Florida, White attended Olympia High School, where he averaged 13.5 points per game as a senior.
Despite his production in a competitive Florida landscape, he was largely overlooked by major programs and began his college career at the junior college level. At the State College of Florida, he quickly established himself as a high-volume threat, averaging 13.5 points and leading the region with an impressive 92.6% mark from the free-throw line.
This performance served as a springboard to North Dakota State, where White’s role expanded across three seasons. He evolved from a bench contributor into a Second Team All-Summit League selection, culminating in a senior year where he averaged 17.1 points per game. Known as much for his perimeter defense as his scoring — earning a spot on the Summit League All-Defensive Team in 2024 — White arrived in Charlottesville as a graduate transfer with over 1,000 career points and a reputation for high-efficiency shooting.
His transition to the ACC has seen that efficiency remain a constant, highlighted by a UVA-record 12 consecutive made three-pointers earlier this winter. Now a veteran presence for Ryan Odom, White’s career path from unranked high schooler to March hero has made him a natural fit for a program currently redefining its own identity.
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