After 16 years, a former NBA coach and his player reunite in North Dakota

FARGO — Nearly 16 years after sharing the sidelines with the LA Clippers, former coach Rory White is reuniting with one of his star players, Dan Dickau, here in Fargo.

“When I first saw him, the first thing I thought about is we both have gray hair now. Back then you know he was a young pup and I was a little bit younger back then,” White said.

Dickau was a point guard on the LA Clippers in 2007 while White served as an assistant coach.

“Coach Rory was awesome. It was my last full season in the NBA and he was an assistant with the Clippers. He brought a mellowness to the practices but a huge knowledge base,” Dickau said.

Now, the former California stars are teaming up in North Dakota.

“For me, I’m just ecstatic because out of all places Fargo, where you’re talking about us in 2007 and 2008, and now I get to see him here in Fargo” Dickau said.

So, former player and coach were side-by-side Thursday, Aug. 22, coaching the next generation of athletes together for Dickau’s skills camp at Shoot 360 in Fargo and Grand Forks.

“I’m following his lead. I’m a little bit older and he’s more active than I am so,” White joked.

“There’s a certain process, a certain set of drills I like to stick to, but I always love hearing from other coaches, learning from other coaches because I think the best coaches in the world have an open mind,” Dickau said.

After all these years, the two still share a love for the game that brought them back together.

“Basketball is universal. You can’t get away from it no matter what,” White said.

After Dickau’s six-year career in the NBA, he now spends his time court side as an analyst for ESPN. White, too, remains on the court — as a basketball coach for Shoot 360 in Fargo.