Derrick White Reflects on Basketball Journey, First Triple-Double: 'I Never Stopped'

Derrick White's evolution's taken him from a college that's never produced another NBA player to becoming one of the league's most impactful two-way players.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick White started his collegiate career at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs, a place whose list of alums to reach the NBA starts and ends with him.

Ahead of the Boston Celtics' 134-101 victory vs. the San Antonio Spurs on New Year's Eve, White's former head coach, Gregg Popovich, stated of the seventh-year guard evolving into an All-Star-caliber player, "I couldn't be more proud of a player."

The Hall of Fame bench boss shared, "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."

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The Parker, Colorado, native is now one of the league's most impactful two-way players.

He's one of four players who ranks in at least the 92nd percentile in estimated plus-minus on both sides of the ball, per dunksandthrees.com. The other three are Kawhi Leonard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Joel Embiid.

It's a far cry from when Popovich used to walk into the Spurs' dining room to tell White, 'You belong,' and walk out.

Monday, in the Celtics' 119-94 win over the Detroit Pistons, the six-foot-four Swiss army knife registered his first-career triple-double, generating 22 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists.

White has nearly accomplished that feat before, only to see it slip through his fingers. Needing one more assist in the final frame, it almost happened again, as his teammates tried to come through for him but couldn't find the mark.

But after a timeout in which Joe Mazzulla told him he had about a minute left in his pursuit, the hosts' bench boss utilizing that break to bring Payton Pritchard back in paid off.

The 29-year-old got the ball on a well-designed set play that ended with the former Colorado Buffalo swinging it back to Pritchard as he came off a Svi Mykhailiuk screen and buried a three from the left slot. Immediately, he pointed in acknowledgment to White.

Derrick White with his first career triple-double 👏 pic.twitter.com/G9Pjbtw8Ki

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 19, 2024

The celebration continued during the latter's post-game interview when Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and his son doused him with water.

They got Derrick White 😂 pic.twitter.com/Y0PT6NXFuy

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 19, 2024

It's a reflection of the affection his teammates have for him.

As Kristaps Porzingis, who scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds and logged 21 minutes in his return from a five-game absence due to a right hamstring strain, put it, "It's hard not to love him."

"This guy, just on and off the court, is a unique human and unique player," continued the seven-foot-three center. "I can go on and on and give compliments to D-White, honestly, about who he is. Everybody loves him here."

When White arrived at the podium, smiling ear-to-ear, he expressed, "I've been close a lot of times, so I was like, 'I'm gonna try to get it this time,' and I've just got to (give) a shoutout to my teammates, for real."

And while voicing what it means to him to see the rest of the Celtics take so much joy in his success, he stated, "We've got amazing guys from top to bottom that you want to play with, that you want to go out and compete with, and I'm just grateful to be a part of this team."

As for stat-chasing once he got within two assists of his first triple-double, an approach that's the antithesis of how he plays, the former 29th overall draft pick conveyed, "It was weird; I didn't like it, and I didn't play too good doing it," adding that he'd like to avoid going that route again.

Praising the man of the evening for his impact on both sides of the ball, his head coach emphasized: "The triple-double is an example of who he is as a player, but it doesn't show how great he is on both ends of the floor."

On a night he also scored his 5,000th career point, White shared with Inside The Celtics what he's most proud of about his improbable basketball journey.

"It's a lot of hard work. Shoutout (to) UCCS for giving me the keys as a freshman. (I) made a lot of mistakes there, which helped me grow and learn a lot. So, I think from that moment when they gave me the keys as a freshman, (it) allowed me to just continue to gain confidence, learn, (and) grow. And I think that's what I'm probably most proud of is I never stopped learning and growing."

His resiliency and relentless pursuit of his best self have led him to a newfound confidence that's fueled his evolution, a night he'll never forget, and growing into one of the most important figures in Boston's hopes for Banner 18.

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'

Jayson Tatum Plays Entire Second Half vs. Suns: 'Don't Really Say That Many Times'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

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