Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Derrick White is the only person to play for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and reach the NBA.

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Ahead of the Boston Celtics' 134-101 victory vs. the San Antonio Spurs, registering their most points on New Year's Eve, Gregg Popovich, the head coach who helped Derrick White find his footing in the NBA, shared the following about the six-foot-four guard's career journey.

"I couldn't be more proud of a player," expressed the head coach with 1,371 wins, the most of any bench boss in NBA history, per basketball-reference.com.

"When he first came (here), I don't think he believed he belonged in the NBA. And to watch him develop through the years here, starting with the G League and playing with us and then starting for us and then taking more steps in Boston, has just been a thrill to watch. He's one of the greatest guys ever, and his confidence has just exploded."

White started his collegiate career at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and is the school's only player to make it to the NBA.

He then transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he impressed enough for the Spurs to make him the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

After spending a little more than his first four-and-a-half years in the Association playing in the Alamo City, he's blossomed in Boston, becoming one of the most impactful members of the Celtics and an All-Star caliber guard.

According to dunksandthrees.com, White, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the only players in the 94th percentile or better on both sides of the ball in estimated plus-minus.

It reflects how the metrics make an airtight case for him occupying a spot on the Eastern Conference's roster in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb. 18, 2024.

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After registering 17 points, five assists, and throwing down a thunderous third-quarter dunk, White discussed adapting to playing basketball at the sport's highest level and gaining confidence as he realized he belonged.

"Everybody in the NBA was, not everybody, but (in) high school was like, 'Well, I've got a chance to go to the league,' whereas when I was in high school, I was like, 'let me try to get to college.' So, it's just kind of a little different story, I guess."

White conveyed that Popovich "kept pushing me, and he saw something in me that I didn't see in myself, and obviously, my first year, I was in the G League, which allowed me to figure out the NBA game and then from there (he) just continued to push me and add that confidence.

"I used to be in the meal room, and he'd walk in and just say, 'You belong,' and walk out. So, just the little things like that are cool to hear from the greatest coach of all time."

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But it took until his sophomore season for the now 29-year-old to share the same sentiment as his head coach, who went from a lock for the Basketball Hall of Fame to getting enshrined in the sport's immortality in 2023.

"That second year, I was like, 'Oh, I can play here,' and then, a lot of guys have that moment, and I just wanted to continue to push so I can play a long time in this league."

The support he received from Popovich to help him reach that moment meant a great deal to the Parker, Colorado native, who said, "It probably took longer than just hearing that and, 'Oh, yeah, I belong," but (him) constantly staying in my corner and believing in me, it definitely went a long way."

When asked to compare himself now confidence-wise to his rookie year, after letting out a chuckle, White responded, "My rookie year, I'm just trying to figure it out. I think every rookie -- it's different for them, but this is a whole new league; this is something you watched since you were a young kid.

"Now, I just feel more comfortable. I know I belong in this league. I know what I can do in this league. (I've) just gotta continue to improve and work on those things."

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Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

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