Why McDowell-White chose Europe return over NBL comeback

• William McDowell-White recently signed a one-year deal with French club, JL Bourg Basket
• He last played in the NBL for the New Zealand Breakers in season 2023-24
• McDowell-White played for German club Alba Berlin last season

William McDowell-White says a bigger role, a roster filled with shooters and playing for a club with a historically good track record in the EuroCup was behind his decision to return to Europe over making a comeback to the NBL.

Following a one-year stint with German club Alba Berlin last season, the Brisbane Bullets pursued the point guard's services heavily, offering a significant deal in an attempt to entice McDowell-White home to lead new coach Stu Lash's team before he signed a one-year deal in France with JL Bourg Basket.

The Bullets, who also went after Boomers legend Matthew Dellavedova but still signed an elite point guard in 2022 NBL MVP Jaylen Adams, saw the 27-year-old as someone who could be the face of the franchise for years to come, and are still believed to have interest in teaming up in the future.

Having not played in the NBL since season 2023-24 with the New Zealand Breakers, McDowell-White said he considered a return to Australia but believed the opportunity with JL Bourg Basket was too good to pass up.

"I still want to test my skills against the best teams around Europe and the opportunity with JL is the best chance to do that," McDowell-White told basketball.com.au.

"The team they've put together really suits my style as a point guard and someone, who likes to create for his teammates. There's a bunch of shooters on the team and so many talents I can't wait to play with.

"JL also has been a good team in the EuroCup and obviously that's one of the best competitions in the world, so I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing against some of the best teams in Europe.

"I had a taste of it last season in Germany and the EuroLeague with Alba Berlin and that experience is only going to help me in the upcoming season."

JL Bourg Basket went 9-9 in the EuroCup last season, finishing seventh in their group, but had a successful 2023-24 campaign where they had a 14-4 record and finished top of their group. They also had the first pick in the 2024 NBA Draft in French guard, Zaccharie Risacher, in their team.

McDowell-White averaged six points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds in the German league last season in 17 minutes per game, recording a season-high of 23 points against Bayern Munich on February 2 and a season-high of eight assists against EWE Baskets Oldenburg on January 27. He also averaged 5.4 points, 3.5 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 22 EuroLeague games for Alba Berlin.

His best professional season came with the Breakers under Mody Maor in 2022-23, where he led New Zealand to be within minutes of an NBL championship in Game 5 of the finals series against the Sydney Kings. That season, he averaged 10.5 points, 6.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds, which made him arguably the hottest local free agent on the market after he declined the final year of his contract with the Breakers.

McDowell-White caught up with basketball.com.au earlier this year and expressed his interest in an NBL return, especially in Brisbane. He said it was something he "considered heavily" this offseason but testing himself in Europe remained the priority.

"It's something we thought about but I think the situation in France was just right for me," he said.

He is currently in Brisbane, still training with the Bullets, before he leaves later this month to start pre-season training in France.