Jump to content

Derrick White

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Derrick White
White with the Boston Celtics in 2023
No. 9 – Boston Celtics
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1994-07-02) July 2, 1994 (age 30)
Parker, Colorado, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolLegend (Parker, Colorado)
College
NBA draft2017: 1st round, 29th overall pick
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career2017–present
Career history
20172022San Antonio Spurs
2017–2018Austin Spurs
2022–presentBoston Celtics
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Team

Derrick Richard White (born July 2, 1994)[1] is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Buffalo," [2] White played three years of college basketball in Division II for the Colorado–Colorado Springs Mountain Lions before transferring to Division I's Colorado Buffaloes for his final year.[3]

White was selected 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 NBA draft. In February 2022, he was traded to the Celtics, becoming a key contributor when they reached the 2022 NBA Finals.[4] White became a starter in the 2022–23 season and was selected to his first NBA All-Defensive Team that season and his second the next season. He won his first NBA championship when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games during the 2024 NBA Finals. White also won a gold medal as a member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.

High school career

[edit]

White attended Legend High School, a brand-new high school in Parker, Colorado, and was a part of its first graduating class.[5] As a freshman on the basketball team, he played with 11 other freshman en route to one win in league play.[6] As a senior, White averaged 17.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.[7]

White scored over 1,000 points in his career.[5] At the time of his graduation in 2012, he was a six-foot combo guard. In February 2023, White was honored as the first-ever Legend Hall of Fame inductee.[5][8]

College career

[edit]

White was lightly recruited out of high school, receiving no scholarship offers from any four-year institutions.[9] At the time of his high school graduation, which fell about two months before his 18th birthday, White was barely six feet (1.83 m) tall—after growing two inches (5 cm) during his senior year.[10] The only head coach at a four-year school who showed sustained interest in White was Jeff Culver, then the head coach at the Denver campus of Johnson & Wales University, a non-scholarship NAIA member better known for its culinary program. By the time White was preparing to make his college decision, Culver was hired as head coach at NCAA Division II's Colorado–Colorado Springs and offered White a room-and-board stipend for his freshman season.[11]

Culver only expected White to become a starter late in his college career. He was aware that White's father had a late growth spurt in college, and also knew that doctors had projected White to potentially reach 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m).[11] As it turned out, White nearly reached that potential height by the time he enrolled at Colorado–Colorado Springs, falling just 1 inch (2.5 cm) short.[10] With his newfound size and athleticism, White became a star at UCCS, starting every game of his three-year career and left as the school's career leader in points (1,912) and assists (343). In his junior season, White averaged 25.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Mountain Lions, leading the team to the 2015 NCAA tournament.[12] He was named an All-American.[13]

Following his junior season, White opted to transfer to Division I Colorado to play for Tad Boyle and test his skills in the Pac-12 Conference, one of the top conferences in the country.[14] After sitting out the 2015–16 season per NCAA rules, White excelled in his lone season with the Buffaloes, averaging 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. White was named first-team All-Pac-12 and a member of the five-man All-Defensive team.[15]

Professional career

[edit]

San Antonio Spurs (2017–2022)

[edit]
White in 2019

White was one of 60 NBA prospects invited to the 2017 NBA draft combine.[16] He was one of only 15 combine invitees who had not been Rivals top-150 prospects in high school, and one of only three who did not sign with Division I programs out of high school. In addition, according to Yahoo! Sports writer Jeff Eisenberg, White was also "the only one who will use part of his first NBA contract to pay off student loans he accumulated paying for tuition at UCCS as a freshman."[11]

The San Antonio Spurs drafted White with the 29th pick of the 2017 NBA draft.[17] He was later included in the Spurs' 2017 NBA Summer League roster.[18] On July 6, 2017, White signed with the Spurs.[19]

On October 18, 2017, White made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 107–99 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[20] On October 31, he was sent along with Dāvis Bertāns to the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League.[21] White suffered a fractured wrist during a G League game against the Texas Legends. He was then recalled to San Antonio several days later.[22][23] On March 12, 2018, White scored a career-high 14 points along with four rebounds, an assist, and a block in a 109–93 loss to the Houston Rockets.[24]

On April 14, 2018, White made his NBA playoffs debut, coming off the bench with seven points, an assist, a steal, and a block in a 113–92 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the series.[25]

On October 12, 2018, White was revealed to have a left plantar fascia tear.[26] On November 7, he made his season debut recording one rebound and three assists in a 95–88 loss to the Miami Heat.[27] On December 31, White scored a career-high 22 points with three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in a 120–111 victory over the Boston Celtics.[28] On January 10, 2019, he scored another career-high 23 points with eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block in a 154–147 double-overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.[29] On January 31 against the Brooklyn Nets, White then recorded a then-career-high 26 points as the Spurs won 117–114.[30] On April 18 against the Denver Nuggets, he recorded a then-playoff career high of 36 points to give San Antonio a 2–1 lead in the first round of the 2019 playoffs.[31]

On December 21, 2020, the Spurs announced that they had signed White to a reported four-year, $73 million rookie-scale extension.[32][33] On April 1, 2021, he hit a career-high seven three-pointers in a 129–134 double-overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks.[34]

Boston Celtics (2022–present)

[edit]

2021–22 season: First Finals appearance

[edit]

On February 10, 2022, White was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick (which turned into Blake Wesley), and the rights to swap 2028 first-round picks.[35] He made his Celtics debut the following day and finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists as the Celtics defeated the Denver Nuggets 108–102.[36]

During Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat on May 27, White scored 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting, alongside five assists and three steals, in a 111–103 loss.[37] The Celtics would go on to eliminate the Heat in seven games, earning White his first Finals appearance in his career.[38] In Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 2, White had 21 points and three assists during a 120–108 comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors.[39] The Celtics went on to lose the series in six games despite a 2–1 lead.

2022–23 season: Transition to starter

[edit]

White began the season as a starter for the Celtics. On February 10, 2023, against the Charlotte Hornets, he scored a career-high 33 points in a 127–116 victory.[40] Three days later, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 24.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists as a starter in place of the injured Marcus Smart.[41]

In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, White made a buzzer-beating put-back shot as time expired to narrowly defeat the Miami Heat 104–103 to force a Game 7 in Boston, saving the Celtics from elimination.[42][43][44] He became the second player in NBA history to hit a buzzer-beating game-winner with his team trailing and facing elimination, joining Michael Jordan's "The Shot" in 1989.[45] Two days later, the Celtics went on to lose Game 7 103–84, in which White had 18 points.[46]

White started in 70 games and appeared in all 82 regular season games, both career highs. He also shot 38.1% from three and 87.5% from the free throw line, while registering 76 blocked shots (all career highs).[47] In May, White was named to the NBA All-Defensive second team for the first time.[48]

2023–24 season: First NBA championship

[edit]

White remained a starter after Marcus Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason. White's production increased as he averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game.[49] He appeared in 73 games (all starts) and shot 46.1 percent from the field, including a career-high 39.6 percent from three.[50] On March 18, 2024, White recorded his first career triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 119–94 victory over the Detroit Pistons.[51]

During Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat on April 29, 2024, White had a playoff career-high 38 points in a 102–88 road victory.[52] During Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers on May 27, he scored 16 points and made the game-winning three-pointer as the Celtics completed a 105–102 comeback victory and advanced to the 2024 NBA Finals.[53] White helped the Celtics win the NBA Finals, where they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games.[54]

2024–25 season: Contract extension

[edit]

On July 1, 2024, White signed a four-year, $125.9 million extension with the Celtics.[55]

National team career

[edit]

On August 24, 2019, White was included in the US national team's final roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[56]

On July 10, 2024, White was chosen as a member of the 2024 United States men's Olympic basketball team as part of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Team USA was in need of a replacement player for Kawhi Leonard, who withdrew from the roster that same day.[57][58] Throughout the tournament, White averaged 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1 block per game.[59] He helped the team win the gold medal.[60]

Personal life

[edit]

White married Hannah Schneider in August 2021.[61] Their first son, Hendrix James, who is named for Jimi Hendrix, was born on May 19, 2022.[62] Their second son, Daxton, was born on November 4, 2023.[63]

In September 2024, White was attending a Colorado vs Colorado State football game in Fort Collins when a fan struck him in the back of the head.[64]

Endorsements

[edit]

White has endorsement deals with the Boston-based beverage companies Samuel Adams and Culture Pop, and has appeared in commercials and on billboards advertising these brands.[65]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 San Antonio 17 0 8.2 .485 .615 .700 1.5 .5 .2 .2 3.2
2018–19 San Antonio 67 55 25.8 .479 .338 .772 3.7 3.9 1.0 .7 9.9
2019–20 San Antonio 68 20 24.7 .458 .366 .853 3.3 3.5 .6 .9 11.3
2020–21 San Antonio 36 32 29.5 .411 .346 .851 3.0 3.5 .7 1.0 15.4
2021–22 San Antonio 49 48 30.3 .426 .314 .869 3.5 5.6 1.0 .9 14.4
Boston 26 4 27.4 .409 .306 .853 3.4 3.5 .6 .6 11.0
2022–23 Boston 82 70 28.3 .462 .381 .875 3.6 3.9 .7 .9 12.4
2023–24 Boston 73 73 32.6 .461 .396 .901 4.2 5.2 1.0 1.2 15.2
Career 418 302 27.5 .450 .363 .854 3.5 4.1 .8 .9 12.3

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018 San Antonio 3 0 6.1 .500 .500 .0 .3 .3 .7 2.3
2019 San Antonio 7 7 27.2 .547 .294 .731 3.0 3.0 .7 .7 15.1
2022 Boston 23 3 25.4 .364 .313 .824 3.0 2.7 .9 .6 8.5
2023 Boston 20 16 29.7 .505 .455 .912 3.0 2.1 .6 1.0 13.4
2024 Boston 19 19 35.6 .452 .404 .921 4.3 4.1 .9 1.2 16.7
Career 72 45 28.7 .455 .394 .852 3.2 2.8 .8 .9 12.4

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012–13 UCCS 24 24 29.6 .426 .342 .808 3.8 2.1 1.5 1.0 16.8
2013–14 UCCS 28 28 30.6 .480 .286 .826 6.3 4.2 1.1 1.5 22.2
2014–15 UCCS 33 33 32.2 .529 .336 .838 7.4 5.2 2.2 2.1 25.8
2016–17 Colorado 34 32 32.8 .507 .396 .813 4.1 4.4 1.2 1.4 18.1
Career 119 117 31.5 .494 .350 .824 5.4 4.1 1.5 1.5 20.9

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Derrick White Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "Derrick White has taken his game to a new level for the Celtics - CBS Boston". CBS News. February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  3. ^ "Derrick White College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  4. ^ Rohlin, Melissa (June 5, 2022). "NBA Finals 2022: Celtics found a hero in Derrick White". Fox Sports. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Zahlmann, Luke (February 17, 2023). "Derrick White relishes chance to be honored at Legend where basketball career took flight". The Gazette. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Yang, Nicole (May 9, 2023). "Derrick White has always bet on himself. Finally, it's paying off". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  7. ^ "Derrick White | Player bio". NBA.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Christensen, Eric (February 20, 2023). "Derrick White returns to old high school: "When I'm done hoopin' I'm going to be back here because Colorado means a lot to me"". CBS News Colorado. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Spears, Marc J. (June 4, 2022). "Derrick White started as the ultimate underdog in his journey to the NBA Finals". Andscape. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Derrick White A Bright Spot In Probable Lost Season For Buffs". denver.cbs.local.com. March 7, 2017. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c Eisenberg, Jeff (May 8, 2017). "How Colorado's Derrick White went from unrecruited to unlikely NBA prospect". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  12. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki (April 19, 2015). "Derrick White, a 3-year standout guard at UCCS, transfers to Colorado". Denver Post. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  13. ^ "Derrick White - Men's Basketball". UCCS Athletics. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  14. ^ Barnhouse, Wendell (December 21, 2016). "How former DII All-American Derrick White became Colorado's 'best player'". fanragsports.com. Retrieved May 6, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ Rooney, Pat (March 6, 2017). "Derrick White's lone season with CU Buffs reaps All-Pac-12, All-Defensive team honors". Daily Camera. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  16. ^ Rooney, Pat (April 29, 2017). "Derrick White to represent CU at NBA draft combine". buffzone.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  17. ^ Julian, M. (June 23, 2017). "SPURS SELECT DERRICK WHITE AND JARON BLOSSOMGAME IN 2017 NBA DRAFT". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  18. ^ Julian, M. (June 30, 2017). "SPURS ANNOUNCE 2017 UTAH SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  19. ^ Schad, Matt (July 6, 2017). "SPURS SIGN 2017 FIRST ROUND PICK DERRICK WHITE". NBA.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  20. ^ "Aldridge's double-double leads Spurs by Timberwolves, 107-99". ESPN.com. October 18, 2017. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  21. ^ Fontanazza, Chip (October 31, 2017). "SAN ANTONIO ASSIGNS DAVIS BERTANS AND DERRICK WHITE TO AUSTIN SPURS". NBA.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  22. ^ "San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White fractures wrist, out indefinitely". NBA.com. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  23. ^ Fontanazza, Chip (March 12, 2018). "SAN ANTONIO RECALLS DERRICK WHITE FROM AUSTIN SPURS". San Antonio Spurs. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  24. ^ "Harden helps Rockets to easy 109-93 win over Spurs". ESPN.com. March 12, 2018. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  25. ^ "Durant, defending champ Warriors get defensive, beat Spurs". ESPN.com. April 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  26. ^ "Heel injury sidelines Spurs guard White indefinitely". NBA.com. October 12, 2018. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  27. ^ "Spurs' Derrick White: Scoreless in season debut". CBSSports.com. November 7, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  28. ^ "Spurs scored 46 in third to race past Celtics, 120-111". ESPN.com. December 31, 2018. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  29. ^ "Aldridge scores 56, Spurs outlast Thunder 154-147 in 2OT". ESPN.com. January 10, 2019. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  30. ^ "Derrick White's career night leads Spurs past Nets, 117-114". foxsports.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  31. ^ Delgado, Dane (April 19, 2019). "Derrick White scores 36 points as Spurs take 2-1 lead vs. Nuggets". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  32. ^ Pederson, Landon (December 21, 2020). "SPURS SIGN DERRICK WHITE TO CONTRACT EXTENSION". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "Spurs sign Derrick White to four-year, $73M contract extension". nbcsports.com. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  34. ^ Dominguez, Raul (April 1, 2021). "Capela, Young guide Hawks past Spurs 134-129 in 2 OT". Associated Press. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "Celtics Acquire Derrick White From Spurs". NBA.com. February 10, 2022. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  36. ^ "Tatum scores 24, Celtics beat Denver for 7th straight win". ESPN. February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  37. ^ "Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics May 27, 2022 Box Scores | NBA.com". NBA.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  38. ^ "Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat May 29, 2022 Game Summary | NBA.com". NBA.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  39. ^ "Celtics vs. Warriors score: Jaylen Brown, Al Horford lead Boston to upset victory in Game 1 vs. Golden State". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  40. ^ Dudek, Greg (February 11, 2023). "Celtics Wrap: Derrick White's Career Night Fuels Boston's 3-Point Party". NESN.com.
  41. ^ "NBA recognizes Derrick White for recent hot streak". RSN. February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  42. ^ Songco, Paolo (May 27, 2023). "WATCH: Celtics' Derrick White forces Game 7 with season-saving tip-in at the buzzer vs Heat". ClutchPoints. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  43. ^ "Derrick White hits tip-in at buzzer, Celtics force Game 7 against Heat with unbelievable win". cbsnews.com. May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  44. ^ Robb, Brian (May 28, 2023). "Celtics beat Heat in Game 6 thriller after Derrick White game winner". masslive.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  45. ^ Goss, Nick (May 28, 2023). "Derrick White joins Michael Jordan as only players to achieve this NBA playoff feat". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  46. ^ "Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin lead Heat past Celtics in Game 7". NBA.com. May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  47. ^ "Derrick White All-time Blocks". StatMuse. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  48. ^ "Jaren Jackson Jr. headlines 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Defensive teams". NBA.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  49. ^ "Derrick White 2023-24 Stats per Game - NBA". ESPN. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  50. ^ "Derrick White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  51. ^ Sampson, Peter (March 18, 2024). "Derrick White's first career triple-double has teammates, Celtics fans hyped". ClutchPoints. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  52. ^ Krivitsky, Bobby (April 29, 2024). "Derrick White Stars, Porzingis Exits, Celtics Push Heat to Brink of Elimination". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  53. ^ Greene, Rob (May 28, 2024). "Derrick White Discusses Second May 27 Game-Winner, Sending Celtics to Finals: 'Pretty Good Day'". Inside The Celtics. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  54. ^ Bontemps, Tim (June 17, 2024). "Celtics stomp Mavs, clinch record 18th NBA title". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  55. ^ "Sources: Celtics, Derrick White agree to $126M extension". ESPN.com. July 1, 2024.
  56. ^ "2019 USA Basketball Men's World Cup Team Roster Announced". usab.com. August 24, 2019. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  57. ^ Windhorst, Brian (July 10, 2024). "Kawhi Leonard out for Paris Olympics; Derrick White to Team USA". ESPN. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  58. ^ Charania, Shams; Vardon, Joe. "Kawhi Leonard out for Team USA in Olympics, Derrick White to take his place". The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  59. ^ Hayes, Oliver. "Colorado legend Derrick White wins gold medal at Paris Olympics". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  60. ^ Feldscher, Kyle. "Team USA wins the gold medal in men's basketball, defeating France in a thriller". CNN. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  61. ^ "Who is Derrick White's wife Hannah Schneider and when did they get married". sportskeeda.com. August 24, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  62. ^ Levin, Jake (May 19, 2022). "Derrick White shares photo of newborn son". nbcsports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  63. ^ Fuller, Ethan (November 7, 2023). "Celtics' Derrick White, wife Hannah welcome second child". bostonglobe.com. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  64. ^ https://www.si.com/nba/derrick-white-hit-in-head-altercation-colorado-colorado-state-game
  65. ^ Gerber, Dana (June 4, 2024). "How Derrick White became a go-to spokesman for Boston-area brands". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
[edit]