When Derrick White was named to Team USA as Kawhi Leonard’s injury replacement, there seemed to be a lot of confusion and, in some cases, some complaining.
Despite White’s credentials as a two-time All-Defensive selection and NBA champion, he lacks the attention of more prominent names. The former first-round pick has not earned All-Star or All-NBA honors, won major awards, or topped any statistical categories.
His selection prompted fans, critics, and media alike to highlight other players they believed were more deserving, with White’s teammate Jaylen Brown often mentioned as a notable omission.
Sure, there was a case for Brown, who, coming off a career year and an Eastern Conference and NBA Finals MVP award, was undoubtedly snubbed. However, White’s inclusion was not without merit, despite the debate surrounding it.
There’s a reason White has the second-highest plus-minus in the league (+1107) over the last two seasons, behind just Nikola Jokic. He is a superstar in his role, which is why he was selected for the team in the first place.
“I’m trying to win, and I’m trying to put together the right pieces that fit and give us a chance to win,” Grant Hill, Team USA executive director, said on the decision to add White.
“One of the many things that I really love about Derrick, and particularly with his team, is I don’t feel like his role changes much with our team from what he does with the Celtics. He plays alongside two incredibly great young players in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. And this setting is hard when you come in, and you’re the center of your universe, and now you have to establish a role, and it might be different than what you have to do with your team. And so to have someone who can come in and play off of guys, be complementary to some others, but then also stand out and be a dynamite defensive player, knock down shots, just impact winning.”
Perhaps it’s easy to overlook a guy like White. He is part of a top-six—alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford—that have combined for 16 All-Star appearances, six All-NBA selections, and nine All-Defensive team honors.
With that much talent, he is not always going to grab headlines. However, Celtics fans know all too well that Derrick White is a game-changer, and that his impact can’t always be quantified by statistics alone. The 6-foot-4 guard shows up each and every night and delivers all the things that lead to winning.
Whether it’s his tenacious defense, elite rim protection, playmaking ability, scoring at all three levels, or simply just his unselfishness, White is a player every team covets. Team USA is no exception, and the nation is starting to see who the real Derrick White is.
If it wasn’t clear from his two steals and a block that helped Team USA outscore Serbia by 15 points while he was on the floor on Sunday, it certainly became evident in Wednesday’s 103-86 win over South Sudan.
White was one of the best players on the court, and he made his presence felt immediately.
When White came off the bench midway through the first quarter, Team USA led South Sudan by just four points. The lead quickly grew to 12, fueled by White’s contributions of four points, a block, and a steal, finishing a +11 in just 3:29.
Throughout the game, White, as he often does for the Celtics, made all the right plays for Team USA. Whether with timely buckets, relentless defense, or his unwavering hustle, White showed exactly why he’s not only part of Team USA but also a crucial fixture in their rotation. He finished the night with 10 points (3-of-3 shooting), one rebound, one assist, three steals, and one block, posting a +18.
This is the Derrick White experience. For Celtics fans, it’s this blend of skill and attitude that has made him a fan favorite. Now, it’s also what will silence any lingering disrespect toward his game.
White can seamlessly integrate into any lineup with any group of players. He’s a unique talent who is finally receiving the recognition he deserves—a talent the Celtics are fortunate to have.
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