In the summer of 2012, Derrick White was gearing up for his freshman season at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS), an NCAA Division II program. Despite his talents, no four-year college showed interest in him. The UCCS coaches planned to redshirt him, thinking a year off would help him bulk up. Little did they know, this was the beginning of his incredible journey from Division II to Olympic Gold.
The Cinderella Story of Derrick White: From Division II to Olympic Gold
Fast forward twelve years, and White is in Paris as part of the U.S. men’s basketball team at the Summer Olympics. His inclusion in this elite squad, brimming with top NBA talent, is nothing short of miraculous.
Every other player on the team was a top 20 NBA draft pick. They all came from Division I programs or skipped college entirely. White is the sole exception, having spent time in the G League and being a Division II player. This background makes him the ultimate underdog on a team expected to clinch the gold medal.
White, a 6-foot-4 guard who played a crucial role in the Boston Celtics’ recent NBA championship win, was far from a can’t-miss prospect. In high school at Legend High in Parker, Colorado, he was a skinny kid, often overlooked by college coaches. Despite scoring over 1,000 points and growing to 6-foot-2 by his senior year, he received no offers from Division I schools.
His high school and AAU coaches, Kevin Boley and David Matthews, tirelessly promoted him, but to no avail. Meanwhile, his teammates secured spots in top programs. White’s journey took a turn when Jeff Culver, then head coach at UCCS, offered him a partial scholarship. White accepted, taking out loans to cover the remaining costs.
Initially, the plan was to redshirt him, but preseason injuries and academic issues among other players changed that. White, now 6-foot-4, impressed in practice and started all 26 games as a freshman, leading the team in scoring. By his junior year, he was an All-American, averaging 25.8 points per game and leading UCCS to its best record ever.
Culver reflects on recruiting White as a gamble that paid off. “Recruiting is an imperfect science. We got lucky with Derrick,” he said. After three stellar years at UCCS, White transferred to the University of Colorado, where he continued to shine, leading the team in scoring and earning first-team honors in the Pacific 12 Conference.
The San Antonio Spurs selected White in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich played a significant role in White’s development, both skill-wise and mentally. “Pop told him hundreds of times, ‘You belong here,’” said White’s friend Alex Welsh.
In Boston, White quickly became a fan favorite, complementing stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. His defensive prowess earned him All-Defensive team honors, and he played a pivotal role in the Celtics’ championship run.
White’s selection to Team USA came after Kawhi Leonard opted out. Despite some controversy over his selection—his teammate Brown hinted at Nike’s influence—White fit seamlessly into the team. He played a crucial role in their tight exhibition game against South Sudan and contributed in their Olympic opener against Serbia.
White remains grounded and committed to his roots. He trains in the same gym in Denver and hosts camps for kids, inspiring the next generation. “He’s the success story you tell kids about late bloomers,” said Matthews.
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