Tony White, the prolific shooting guard who led Tennessee to unprecedented scoring heights from 1983 to 1987, was enshrined in the 2025 Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame on April 11, 2025. The ceremony celebrated his on-court exploits, off-court resilience, and enduring love for Rocky Top. During his acceptance, White captured the hearts of Volunteers fans everywhere when he declared, “I’m a true Vol. I love it,” encapsulating a legacy built on fierce competitiveness and unwavering loyalty. The Hall of Fame inducted eight icons this year, but White’s journey—from SEC scoring leader to NBA draftee to European star and cancer survivor—stands out as one of the most compelling chapters in Volunteer history.
Born on February 15, 1965, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tony White honed his skills at Independence High School before enrolling at the University of Tennessee to play under coach Don DeVoe in 1983. As a freshman, he averaged double figures and quickly established himself as a tenacious scorer with a smooth outside shot and fearless drives to the basket. By his junior year, White had led the SEC in scoring, averaging 22.2 points per game in 1985-86, becoming one of only two Volunteers ever to accomplish the feat twice, alongside Bernard King. During the 1986-87 season, he repeated as the league’s scoring champion with 24.5 points per game, earned UPI Co-SEC Player of the Year honors, and secured Third-Team All-America recognition from both the AP and UPI. White still holds the school record for most points in a single game—51 against Auburn on February 14, 1987—an achievement that remains the program’s pinnacle of individual scoring.
Following his stellar college run, the Chicago Bulls selected White with the 33rd overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, marking the beginning of a brief stint in the league that included appearances with the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors during the 1987-88 season. After his time in the NBA, White embarked on a prolific European career from 1988 to 2000, starring for clubs in leagues across Belgium, Greece, France, Spain, and the CBA, where he was named champion with the La Crosse Catbirds in 1990. Known overseas for his scoring versatility and crafty left-handed finishes, he earned multiple all-star and MVP honors in both the Greek and French leagues, solidifying his reputation as “The Wizard” for his ability to conjure points in any situation. White’s professional success abroad not only extended his playing career but also broadened the global footprint of Tennessee Basketball.
In 2018, White faced perhaps his toughest opponent when diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a battle that sidelined him for months as he endured four rounds of chemotherapy followed by a successful bone marrow transplant aided by his brother Gene’s perfect donor match. Confined to a hospital for nearly five months, he emerged cancer-free in 2019, attributing his survival to faith, family, and the fighting spirit he developed on Rocky Top. His victory over leukemia resonated deeply within the Volunteer community, serving as a powerful testament to the same grit and determination that defined his playing days.
The 2025 Hall of Fame class brought eight exceptional Volunteers to Knoxville, headlined by football icon Eric Berry and joined by posthumous basketball great A.W. Davis, swimmers Jenny Connolly and Mike Masters, Lauryn McCalley, softball star Lindsay Schutzler, golfer Mike Sposa, and Tony White. The induction ceremony, held inside Thompson-Boling Arena’s Food City Center, featured highlights of each inductee’s career, video tributes, and speeches from peers and coaches who witnessed White’s ascension firsthand. Athletics Director Danny White hailed the class as “an embodiment of Volunteer excellence across eras and sports,” emphasizing how White’s scoring prowess and service off the court have inspired generations.
Taking the podium with tears in his eyes, White looked around at the standing-room-only crowd of former teammates, coaches, and family before delivering the night’s most memorable line: “I’m a true Vol. I love it,” capturing decades of devotion to Tennessee in a single sentence. He thanked his coaches, teammates, and especially his family “for teaching me to compete, to persevere, and to never lose sight of what really matters.” Later in the evening, White’s son, Tony White Jr., and nephew joined him onstage, symbolizing the intergenerational bond forged through basketball and shared Volunteer identity.
Tony White’s Hall of Fame induction cements his status among Tennessee’s all-time greats, ranking sixth in SEC history with 2,219 career points and boasting one of the most storied single-game and single-season records in program lore. Beyond statistics, his resilience in overcoming cancer and his continued community involvement—mentoring youth, supporting cancer research initiatives, and participating in Volunteer alumni events—illustrate how his impact extends far beyond the hardwood. The University plans to honor his legacy further by establishing the Tony White Scholarship, aimed at assisting student-athletes who exemplify perseverance and leadership, ensuring future Volunteers carry forward his spirit.
As the spotlight fades on the 2025 induction, Tony White’s declaration rings louder than ever: the true essence of a Volunteer lies not just in victories won but in the enduring love for Rocky Top—a love he embodies wholly when he says, “I’m a true Vol. I love it.”
