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The Buff is doing everything for the Americans
There’s no question Derrick White belongs on Team USA.
The Colorado star was a late add to the Olympic squad after Kawhi Leonard withdrew due to injury. Many clamored for Jaylen Brown, his All-Star teammate in Boston, but this team needed a glue guy, not another scorer. They needed someone who could lock down defensively, be unselfish with the ball and do the little things that win championships.
That was on full display in Team USA’s 103-86 win over South Sudan in the qualifying round. White was everywhere in the first half, contesting shots, deflecting passes, creating turnovers, and making smart passes. He even hit a few shots just to make the box score pop: 10 points on 3/3 shooting, three steals, one block and one assist in just 17 minutes.
White’s energy — alongside two-time champion and gold medalist Jrue Holiday — propelled the Americans to a commanding 37-19 first half lead. Team USA disrupted everything Royal Ivey schemed up, then turned those turnovers and rebounds into easy points in transition. It looked like how the Americans are meant to play — bigger, stronger, better, hungrier than the other team.
White was +18 in his limited time on the floor. He didn’t play as much as he should have, especially in the second half, as Steve Kerr was experimenting with different combinations with the game seemingly in hand. That should change when the games get more competitive and Kerr leans on his best players, rather than forcing minutes to guys like Stephen Curry and LeBron James.
Team USA will play next on Saturday, August 3rd against a Puerto Rico squad led by Tremont Waters, Jose Alvarado and Colorado State’s Gian Clavell.
by Sam Metivier
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