Sean Miller Makes Early Impression in Texas, Visits 2026 Star Billy White

Sean Miller wasted no time getting to work as the new head coach of the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball program. Less than a week after being officially introduced in Austin, Miller was on the road making one of his first in-person recruiting visits. His destination? Veterans Memorial High School in San Antonio, home to one of the most promising juniors in the Class of 2026: Billy White.

The visit underscores the urgency and precision with which Miller is approaching his second tenure in the Big 12. Having once rebuilt Xavier into a national contender and led Arizona through both triumphs and turbulence, Miller now steps into a high-expectation situation at Texas. The Longhorns are in a pivotal transition period following Rodney Terry’s resignation, and recruiting top-tier in-state talent like Billy White will be central to establishing a firm foundation under Miller’s leadership.

White, a 6-foot-8 forward with a guard’s skill set, has been making waves in Texas high school basketball circles since his freshman year. As a junior, he’s averaging 22.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, drawing attention from nearly every major program in the country. Long, athletic, and highly versatile, White can stretch the floor, put the ball on the deck, and defend multiple positions. His maturity, both physically and mentally, is what separates him from many of his peers.

Sean Miller arriving at Veterans Memorial was more than just a stop on a recruiting tour. It was a statement. The visit sent a clear message to recruits, their families, and high school coaches across Texas: the Longhorns are going to prioritize the best talent in their own backyard. That’s been a winning formula for Texas in football, and now Miller appears ready to replicate it on the hardwood.

The meeting between Miller and White was reported as informal but impactful. Sources say Miller spent time speaking not just with White, but with his family, coaches, and school administrators. The emphasis, according to those present, was on building a relationship. That’s a hallmark of Miller’s recruiting philosophy — he’s known for being deeply involved and personally invested in the players he targets. His style, often described as intense but genuine, seems to have resonated with the White family.

Billy White, still a junior, isn’t expected to make a decision any time soon. His recruitment is wide open, with programs like Kansas, Baylor, Houston, Alabama, and Duke among those already expressing strong interest. Still, the early attention from the new Texas regime is meaningful. In modern recruiting, relationships built early often pay dividends down the line. And Miller’s decision to make White one of his very first visits as head coach speaks volumes.

The meeting also speaks to Miller’s understanding of the state’s basketball landscape. While Texas has historically been a football-first state, it has produced some of the best basketball talent in the country in recent years. From Kevin Durant and Myles Turner to Cade Cunningham and Keyonte George, the Lone Star State has become a must-stop recruiting destination for every major college basketball program. If Texas can consistently keep more of that elite talent home, the Longhorns have the infrastructure and visibility to become a perennial contender.

For White, the attention is nothing new, but Miller’s visit added a new layer of consideration. According to those close to him, Billy has always expressed an interest in representing his home state at the next level — if the fit was right. While it’s far too early to project where White will ultimately land, Texas is now firmly on the radar, and Miller’s pitch seems to have sparked interest.

Miller’s track record with players like White is also a recruiting asset. At Arizona, he coached NBA wings like Aaron Gordon, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Stanley Johnson, and Josh Green — athletic, long, multi-dimensional players not unlike White. Miller’s success with that prototype could be a key selling point. And for White, who is likely to have professional basketball aspirations, that pedigree matters.

But the visit also carried symbolic importance beyond just one prospect. For Texas fans, it marked the beginning of a new era. One where a seasoned coach with deep ties in national recruiting circles plants his flag in Texas soil and signals a new direction for the program. Miller’s presence in San Antonio served as a reminder that the Longhorns’ basketball ambitions are alive and well.

Texas, under Chris Beard and then Rodney Terry, made progress in restoring credibility and competitiveness in the program. The team reached the Elite Eight in 2023 and has since remained a respected Big 12 contender. But sustaining that success — and building on it — requires elite recruiting. That’s where Miller’s hiring could be transformative. He’s known not just as a tactician, but as one of the most relentless recruiters in college basketball. If he’s able to connect with players like Billy White and secure their commitments, Texas could be poised for a long run of national relevance.

The timing of the visit also reflects Miller’s understanding of how quickly things move in the modern recruiting landscape. Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) has changed the calculus for many prospects. Relationships, fit, and development remain important, but players are increasingly savvy about the totality of their opportunities — including how a program can elevate their brand and platform. Texas, with its resources, market, and alumni base, has the tools to compete with anyone in that space. Miller, having recruited during the NIL era at Arizona before his return to Xavier, is fully aware of how to position his program in this new dynamic.

While the attention today is on White, the visit likely served a dual purpose: to reestablish trust and visibility among high school coaches and AAU programs in Texas. By showing up in person, Miller reminded the state’s basketball community that the Longhorns aren’t going to be passive participants in their own backyard. That personal touch, especially early in a coach’s tenure, can have lasting ripple effects.

Sources familiar with the situation say White’s family appreciated Miller’s approach — low-pressure, focused on understanding Billy’s goals and values. While the conversation didn’t dive too deeply into scholarship or commitment specifics, the tone was reportedly “very encouraging.” It set the groundwork for more visits and potentially an unofficial or official visit to the Texas campus later this year.

For now, it’s a long game. White will continue to play through the summer with his AAU team, possibly narrowing his list of schools by early fall. But Miller’s first-move advantage could pay off. While there will be plenty of competition for White’s commitment, there’s something to be said about the coach who took the time to meet you, your family, and your coaches right after being hired.

In many ways, the visit to Veterans Memorial was a microcosm of what Texas fans can expect under Sean Miller: a relentless recruiter with a clear plan and a willingness to invest in personal relationships. For a program with ambitions of returning to the Final Four — and winning a national title — that’s exactly the kind of leadership it needs.

Only time will tell if Billy White ultimately dons the burnt orange, but if Miller’s first impression is any indication, Texas will be a serious player in his recruitment. More importantly, it signals that the Longhorns under Miller won’t wait for elite talent to come to them. They’re going to get out, get personal, and make a strong case for why the best in Texas should stay in Texas.