The Strawberry Mansion senior signed a scholarship yesterday to play basketball for the Explorers, turning down Nebraska, Arkansas State, Niagara and Robert Morris.

Shortly after the announcement, White put on a La Salle T-shirt and baseball cap.

"I picked La Salle because it was closer to home," the 6-foot-8, 220-pounder said, "and I felt like I blended in with the coaches and the faculty there."

White, who canceled last weekend's recruiting trip to Nebraska, said he made his decision last week. In need of an interior presence, the Cornhuskers would have provided an opportunity to play right away in the Big 12.

"I feel as though I was bonding with La Salle since they first started recruiting me," White said. "Then I realized that I didn't need to go that far [to Nebraska] just to have a good time."

White hopes to provide a rebounding and shot-blocking presence at La Salle.

He averaged 11.6 points and 12 rebounds this season en route to being named a second-team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection by The Inquirer.