GOOD NEWS: As Derrick White and his wife Hannah Schneider welcome their second new baby…..

The head coach who assisted Derrick White in establishing himself in the NBA, Gregg Popovich, provided the following insight into the career trajectory of the six-foot-four guard prior to the Boston Celtics’ thrilling 134-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, setting a record for most points on New YWhen 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.”ear’s Eve.

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.

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.