Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
Central Valley native Candice White steps into the spotlight
1/12/2017 3:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Modesto native Candice White brings a Valley presence to the Fresno State women's basketball team as the sophomore guard has emerged as a leader for the Bulldogs this season.
FRESNO, Calif. - The lone Central Valley native on the Fresno State women's basketball roster, sophomore guard Candice White holds a unique spot on this year's team; a distinction certainly not lost on her.
One of only three California natives on the team, White hails from Modesto, a 95 mile jaunt northwest of Fresno, growing up immersed in family. "I would say Modesto really reminds me of Fresno only with a smaller population," said White.
Growing up one of six children, White who has three sisters and a pair of brothers, learned to compete with her siblings from an early age and was taught the importance of hard work and determination.
In addition to her large immediate family, White's mother Rachel has 11 siblings, many of whom live in the nearby Modesto area. "It was really nice having so much family close by growing up."
Getting her athletic career started at the age of five, White played soccer, basketball and softball until the fifth grade before giving up basketball for a pair of years after a rough experience in fourth grade.
Deciding she wanted to give basketball another shot, when seventh grade rolled around, White was on-board going on to a standout prep career at Modesto Christian High School.
Helping the Crusaders capture their first CIF Division III championship in school history as a junior in 2014, White was named the Modesto Metro Conference MVP and Modesto Bee All-District Player of the Year as a senior in 2015 after averaging 17.4 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per contest.
With college right around the corner, White had to make a choice between pursuing soccer or basketball at the next level. "I decided I enjoyed the fast-pace of basketball more than all of the running in soccer so I decided to stick with basketball."
Starting her recruiting later than most, White recalls Fresno State first coming on the scene thanks to associate head coach Mandi Carver, "I remember Coach Carver coming down to see a practice of mine in high school and start the recruiting process. I am so happy she did that because I really enjoy it here at Fresno State."
With initial thoughts of wanting to go out-of-state for college, once White saw the Fresno State campus and community and met the players, she knew she had everything she was seeking in a school in her backyard.
"I am so glad I decided to stay close to home because my mom and all my family can come see me play and I really enjoy our booster program because they do a lot to help the players."
Arriving in Fresno with teammates from seven different states and two different countries, White had to adapt quickly to her new culture as she was exposed to new experiences. Bringing her Valley pride to the team,
White has joined her non-California native teammates in exploring the West Coast.
"It is really fun discovering new parts of California together with my teammates who are from out of state or international because despite being born and raised in the Valley, I don't get to go to those parts often so they actually help me discover new things and places."
Seeing action in only 11 games and limited to 69 minutes as a freshman, White was able to sit back and learn from four experienced senior guards gaining valuable experience about being a student-athlete both on and off the court.
"We had five seniors with five very different personalities and all of them were very hard-nosed players, stubborn and were not going to take no for an answer," added White.
"They had a toughness and edge to them that they brought not only to games, but to practice as well. It forced you to get tougher and rise to their level every day. It was an experience I am very happy I had to go through and I know it will be invaluable down the road."
Heading into her sophomore season this summer, White knew she was going to have to step up into a leadership role this season and took it upon herself to be more assertive and lead the team. In addition to becoming more expanding her leadership role, White also knew she needed to continue to develop her game and spent countless hours in the gym on her own in the spring and summer getting up shots.
"I knew I needed to step up my leadership and at the end of the day, a leader is a leader, and it does not really matter if you are a freshman or a senior."
Her leadership has certainly translated to production on the court thus far this season as White currently ranks second in the Mountain West in free throw percentage (.902), is third in minutes per game (33.1), ninth in field goal percentage (.474) and steals (1.6 spg) and is 10th in 3-point field goal percentage (.380) and scoring (14.0 ppg).
With nearly two months left in the season, White knows the 'Dogs have a lot of basketball ahead of them this winter and is looking forward to improving her overall consistency every day.
"When you watch some of the best players in the country play, it doesn't matter if they are playing a Division II team or a great Division I team, they bring it every night. To get to where we want to be at as a team in March, I know I need to continue to be more consistent in my play and continue to be able to draw defenders more and get into the paint and dish out to my teammates and get them more involved."
With a season and half under her belt, White knows many chapters of her Bulldog career have yet to written, but she knows she made the best choice deciding to come to Fresno State.
"It means so much to be to be able to stay home and represent the Valley and Fresno State. Being a Bulldog to me is about being bold, having pride, going hard every single day and being committed to your school and team."
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram:Â fresnostwbb
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
One of only three California natives on the team, White hails from Modesto, a 95 mile jaunt northwest of Fresno, growing up immersed in family. "I would say Modesto really reminds me of Fresno only with a smaller population," said White.
Growing up one of six children, White who has three sisters and a pair of brothers, learned to compete with her siblings from an early age and was taught the importance of hard work and determination.
In addition to her large immediate family, White's mother Rachel has 11 siblings, many of whom live in the nearby Modesto area. "It was really nice having so much family close by growing up."
Getting her athletic career started at the age of five, White played soccer, basketball and softball until the fifth grade before giving up basketball for a pair of years after a rough experience in fourth grade.
Deciding she wanted to give basketball another shot, when seventh grade rolled around, White was on-board going on to a standout prep career at Modesto Christian High School.
Helping the Crusaders capture their first CIF Division III championship in school history as a junior in 2014, White was named the Modesto Metro Conference MVP and Modesto Bee All-District Player of the Year as a senior in 2015 after averaging 17.4 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per contest.
With college right around the corner, White had to make a choice between pursuing soccer or basketball at the next level. "I decided I enjoyed the fast-pace of basketball more than all of the running in soccer so I decided to stick with basketball."
Starting her recruiting later than most, White recalls Fresno State first coming on the scene thanks to associate head coach Mandi Carver, "I remember Coach Carver coming down to see a practice of mine in high school and start the recruiting process. I am so happy she did that because I really enjoy it here at Fresno State."
With initial thoughts of wanting to go out-of-state for college, once White saw the Fresno State campus and community and met the players, she knew she had everything she was seeking in a school in her backyard.
"I am so glad I decided to stay close to home because my mom and all my family can come see me play and I really enjoy our booster program because they do a lot to help the players."
Arriving in Fresno with teammates from seven different states and two different countries, White had to adapt quickly to her new culture as she was exposed to new experiences. Bringing her Valley pride to the team,
White has joined her non-California native teammates in exploring the West Coast.
"It is really fun discovering new parts of California together with my teammates who are from out of state or international because despite being born and raised in the Valley, I don't get to go to those parts often so they actually help me discover new things and places."
Seeing action in only 11 games and limited to 69 minutes as a freshman, White was able to sit back and learn from four experienced senior guards gaining valuable experience about being a student-athlete both on and off the court.
"We had five seniors with five very different personalities and all of them were very hard-nosed players, stubborn and were not going to take no for an answer," added White.
"They had a toughness and edge to them that they brought not only to games, but to practice as well. It forced you to get tougher and rise to their level every day. It was an experience I am very happy I had to go through and I know it will be invaluable down the road."
Heading into her sophomore season this summer, White knew she was going to have to step up into a leadership role this season and took it upon herself to be more assertive and lead the team. In addition to becoming more expanding her leadership role, White also knew she needed to continue to develop her game and spent countless hours in the gym on her own in the spring and summer getting up shots.
"I knew I needed to step up my leadership and at the end of the day, a leader is a leader, and it does not really matter if you are a freshman or a senior."
Her leadership has certainly translated to production on the court thus far this season as White currently ranks second in the Mountain West in free throw percentage (.902), is third in minutes per game (33.1), ninth in field goal percentage (.474) and steals (1.6 spg) and is 10th in 3-point field goal percentage (.380) and scoring (14.0 ppg).
With nearly two months left in the season, White knows the 'Dogs have a lot of basketball ahead of them this winter and is looking forward to improving her overall consistency every day.
"When you watch some of the best players in the country play, it doesn't matter if they are playing a Division II team or a great Division I team, they bring it every night. To get to where we want to be at as a team in March, I know I need to continue to be more consistent in my play and continue to be able to draw defenders more and get into the paint and dish out to my teammates and get them more involved."
With a season and half under her belt, White knows many chapters of her Bulldog career have yet to written, but she knows she made the best choice deciding to come to Fresno State.
"It means so much to be to be able to stay home and represent the Valley and Fresno State. Being a Bulldog to me is about being bold, having pride, going hard every single day and being committed to your school and team."
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram:Â fresnostwbb
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
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