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White just won the Larry O’Brien and (only) lost a tooth in the process
Colorado’s champion’s club officially has its newest member.
Derrick White, Boston Celtics starting two-guard and class of 2017 alum, is now an NBA champion. White’s Celtics clinched the title on Monday night after making quick work of the Dallas Mavericks with a convincing 3-1 series win. White now joins Chauncey Billups and Scott Wedman as the only Buffs with an NBA ring.
White’s road to an NBA title has been anything but easy. The Parker, CO. native played high school ball at Legend High School, receiving no scholarships to play basketball at the next level. White ended up landing at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, playing for the Mountain Lions for three seasons.
White’s game caught the eye of Tad Boyle going into the 2015-16 season, as he was brought to Boulder to help the Buffs. After sitting for a season due to the NCAA’s transfer rules at the time, White was eligible for the 2016-17 season and balled out for the Buffs. White averaged 18.1 points per game as a Buff, earning himself first-team all-conference honors by the Pac-12.
After declaring for the 2017 NBA Draft, White ended up getting picked up with the 29th pick by the San Antonio Spurs. In his time in San Antonio, White showed flashes of greatness but never really reached his full potential due to injury issues.
White began to blossom after he was traded to the Celtics in 2022. His smart play and tenacious defense would earn him a starting role on a stacked Boston roster in 2023, where he’d earn second-team all-NBA defensive team honors.
It took White eight years in the association, but now he’s finally on top of the mountain. Winning titles takes tremendous sacrifices and White had one hell of a sacrifice during Monday’s game; half of his front tooth.
White’s face smacked into the floor while diving for a loose ball, resulting in a pretty gnarly tooth chip. Thankfully, White said he’d gladly lose a tooth for a title.
We’re extremely lucky and proud to be able to call Derrick one of our own. A true Buff at heart, nobody is more deserving of an NBA title than Derrick White.
Congrats, Derrick!!!
by RylandScholes
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