The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

SMUs Tyreek Smith dunks as the Mustangs run up the scoreboard against Memphis in Moody Coliseum.
SMU finds new head coach for men’s basketball
Brian Richardson, Contributor • March 28, 2024
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Timeout Talks: #Whittness

Timeout+Talks%3A+%23Whittness

Jimmy Whitt has style.

On the court he wears #31, but off the court he boasts his own spirited style.

The sophomore from Columbia, Missouri, was a 4-star recruit out of Hickman High School. Whitt spent his freshman year at Arkansas before deciding to transfer his talents to the Hilltop. He was originally recruited by former head coach Larry Brown, but has now found his home at SMU within current head coach Tim Jankovich.

“I felt like [SMU] would be the best option for me, transferring from Arkansas, because I had a big relationship with Coach Brown,” said Whitt. “As a point guard you have to be an extension of the coach on the court, so I feel like that has helped my relationship with Coach Jank grow.”

Under Jankovich’s leadership, Whitt has 336 points thus far this season, averaging 10.8 per game. With multiple Mustang injuries burdening the team this season, Whitt has found a lot of playing time.

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Unlike many of his teammates, when it comes to pregame routines, Whitt keeps it simple.

“The crazy part is I don’t really listen to music pre-game,” said Whitt. “Most people do, but I don’t. I like talking.”

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Whitt’s basketball career began 12 years ago, in second grade. Whitt grew up with five siblings and spent his childhood looking up to his older brother Marcus, who also played basketball. Marcus is now a graduate assistant with the University of Nevada Athletic department after playing four years at Columbia College.

“My older brother is definitely my role model. We both played basketball at the same high school, but he was four years older so I was growing up in his shadow…before I got better than him,” joked Whitt.

Family is everything to Whitt. He recently made an addition to his jersey for the 2017 season: he added “Jr.” in honor of his father.

“I wanted to show him some love and let everyone know who brought me up,” said Whitt.

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Here at SMU, Whitt Jr. brings his contagious personality and iconic sense of fashion everywhere he goes.

“He’s a [fashion] fanatic,” said teammate and classmate Jarrey Foster. “He’s a guru at it.”

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