Pinson Valley head basketball coach Darrell Barber described Caleb White as an exceptional basketball player and a loyal leader on Tuesday night.

The 17-year-old White, a finalist for Class 6A player of the year in 2023, died Thursday after collapsing at school during a pickup basketball game with his teammates.

His life was celebrated with a candlelight memorial Monday night at Pinson Valley. There will be a public viewing Thursday at Davenport & Harris Funeral Home from noon to 6 p.m. and Friday at Cathedral of the Cross from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

The service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at Cathedral of the Cross.

“Not only was Caleb an exceptional basketball player as we all know but just to know him as a person — his smile was infectious,” Barber said. “Everyone gravitated toward the young man. He was a leader among his peers. He was a very matter of fact type guy, but he was so loyal. He was loyal to his friends and wanted to see everyone else succeed.”

White, who had just started his senior year at Pinson Valley, was a first-team all-state selection as a junior. He averaged 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals for the Indians. As a sophomore, he averaged 17.3 points and had 71 steals.

“He was never a me guy, a show-me-up guy,” Barber said. “Now on the court is another story. But outside of that, you couldn’t find a better person. He was raised the right way. His parents did a wonderful job with him. It was a pleasure, and I enjoyed every moment with Caleb.”

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office on Monday said it will be several weeks before White’s cause of death can be determined. His mother said he died of cardiac arrest.

“He was such a competitor,” Barber said. “Just having been around him the last four years has blessed me and so many others in so may ways. He is definitely going to be missed, but he is definitely going to be remembered. He will live on forever just the impact he had on people as well as the community of Pinson.”

Barber said his team will play for White this season.

“We will continue to play through Caleb, play for him and represent who he was,” Barber said. “We talk about basketball being life, sports emulating life and you never know when you are going to take your last dribble. Our guys are looking forward to playing for their brother.”

The basketball community throughout the state has rallied behind Pinson and the White family, and Barber said he is thankful.

“It’s meant a lot,” he said. “Schools from each end of Alabama have reached out. Corner did a banner for his service. The outpouring of love has been tremendous. It’s a testimony not only to our program but to who Caleb was. I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s hard to get back to everyone, but I want everyone to know how much we appreciate it.”