We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Saul White Jr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Saul, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Well I had no choice, I was destined to play basketball. My father played basketball with former NBA player Doc Rivers at Proviso East and their rivals were St. Joseph’s and NBA Hall of Fame Isiah Thomas. Our family was all about basketball, so you can say I was born to play and love the game of basketball. As A kid I always had a basketball and you could always find me at the playground playing basketball with my friends or shooting around by myself.
Saul, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Saul White Jr, and I’m a kid from a small town called Summit-Argo, IL. I’ve been a basketball player since the age of 4 participating in multiple organized basketball programs. My father put me in camp after camp, in order to improve my skills. Before I was even born my father had plans for me to be the best basketball player I could be. I wasn’t given an option to play and honestly I didn’t like it until I became junior in high school.
I began dunking in my sophomore year of high school. Once I started dunking I challenged my peers and upper classmen. No one could fly as I did and that’s when I started to realize I had something here.
I went on to receive a full scholarship to a “JUCO” called Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL. After college I worked and played a semi-pro ball in the IBL (International Basketball League).
A friend of the family, who is more like a brother to me asked me if I’d ever thought about playing for the Harlem Globetrotters? At that time, I’d never thought twice about being a Globetrotter. As a child my grandparents would take me every time they came to town. Kyle Hill, asked me to make a video for YouTube and he would send it to his friend J. Miles that worked for the organization at the time. The Globetrotters saw my video on YouTube, and flew me to tryouts. Now here I am 12 years strong a Harlem Globetrotter. Since becoming a Harlem Globetrotter I’ve been to all 50 States and 72 different countries. It’s been an amazing ride so far. I can truly say never in a million years would I envisioned this being my life and career.
Outside of being a Harlem Globetrotter I’m also a Motivational Speaker & Mental Health Advocate. I started my LLC called Everyday is Grind Season. EIG is about Health & Fitness, Athletics and Mental Health. We’re building Champions & Healing Individuals one day at a time. I held my first Fun &Mentals Basketball Camp this past Fall 2022 at the CAC (Christian Activity Center) in East St. Louis, IL. The goal of our EIG SZN Fun & Mentals basketball camps is to create an interest in the game of basketball and help give students who don’t have the opportunities to explore their skills and develop through hands-on experience from myself and my co-coach and big brother Whitney White also a professional athlete (Slam Ball Nation).
Students will be exposed to an array of professions in basketball, including ones they may not have even known were options as well as step by step stations and guidance of the college experience and what to expect as they grow and develop. The Camp will also be an opportunity to let students learn basketball fundamentals but also focus on their potential for making a career from the game of basketball and what options they have once they graduate high school/higher education. We will also explain the college recruiting process, focusing on physical fitness and mental health. With hopes to develop an AAU youth basketball team that will resemble a Harlem Globetrotter career including team building, skill building, college preparation, entry in basketball competitions throughout the STL metropolitan area as well as throughout the Midwest. Most importantly teaching the importance of mental health as young athletes, college preparation. The mental health of parents of athletes and Students will be exposed to an array of professions in basketball, including ones they may not have even known were options as well as step by step stations and guidance of the college experience and what to expect as they grow and develop. The Camp will also be an opportunity to let students learn basketball fundamentals but also focus on their potential for making a career from the game of basketball and what options they have once they graduate high school/higher education. We will also explain the college recruiting process, focusing on physical fitness and mental health and professional etiquette.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience is my life. I’ve always known I wanted to be a basketball player since birth. I’ve always been dedicated and determined to be the best athlete I can be. Many obstacles have tried to stop me from making my dreams come true but I stayed course, stayed focused and wanted to make it happen no matter what came my way. Even now in adulthood I have my struggles. I am human like you. I struggle with depression, balancing life, being a father, role model and more. I strive each day to be a better version of myself and continue to learn and grow. Growing up near Chicago, IL and seeing things such as gang violence, losing loved ones and even watching my parents struggle finacially. I was rasied around resilence and taught to never let life get me down. Keep going.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part is, being able to give back to the youth. Children are truly my passion. Some children come from poverty stricken areas and don’t feel as if they are understood or heard. They aren’t given many options in life and sometimes it leads down a wrong path. We forget the importance of mental health in our youth especially young black males. Being a role model and showing them you can make it out no matter what environment you come from drives me to continue to reach as many youth as I can. Being able to be an inspiration to not just our younger generation but older as well. It’s never too late to become or do whatever you want in your life. Just keep going no matter what, do not stop, keep going! The only thing in life we can not come back from is death, so each day you are alive is a chance to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsaulwhitejr/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saul-white-jr-4563b8201/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamsaulwhitejr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw8Tnh9HaR0uNGCEOjJ9Xqg