Mississippi forward Malcolm White, who started all but one Southeastern Conference game for the Rebels last season and averaged 7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds, will transfer to LSU.

White, a 6-foot-9 sophomore from Baton Rouge, La., will have to sit out the 2009-2010 season because of NCAA transfer rules.

He said Wednesday he wanted to finish his career “closer to home.”

As a sophomore, he played in 31 games and started 27 for the Rebels. White set an Ole Miss sophomore record for blocked shots with 43. He had two 20-point games and an 18-rebound game in SEC play, including a 20-point, nine-rebound game against archrival Mississippi State.