Making history is nothing new to Mississippi State senior guard Tan White. Coming into this year’s WNBA draft, White was told she was too small to play at the next level.
This sentiment echoed her entire career playing in the SEC for Mississippi State.
She proved them wrong then, and she proved them wrong now.
White was selected as the No. 2 pick in the 2005 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. With her first round selection, she became the second lady bulldog in MSU history to be selected by the WNBA alongside former MSU standout LaToya Thomas.
“We are excited Tan has been selected the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft,” MSU head coach Sharon Fanning said. “She has represented Mississippi State in a first class manner. We are all very proud of her accomplishments and expect only the best at the next level.”
Excitement is a sentiment not only expressed by her former coach, but among her friends and family as well.
On April 15, Tupelo Mayor Larry Otis proclaimed ‘Tan White Day’ as a Tupelo holiday.
This recognition, teamed with her former teammates’ enthusiasm seamlessly makes White the most recognized player in MSU history.
“I’m very excited. I think she deserves it,” junior guard Doeceide Warren said. “She is an awesome player. It is just an honor for me to be able to play with one of the great players in basketball.”
With all the swirl of intrigue behind her now, White can focus on the things important to her.
“All the hard work I have put in the last eight years of my life will finally pay off,” White said. “This is where I wanted to go with it and it is just now starting for me. I will be glad when I can get my degree and just concentrate on basketball.”