Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Derrick White

How Derrick White built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Derrick White is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the NBA. He is known by the nicknames "the Buffalo" and "the Swiss Army Knife". White began his college basketball career in Division II at Colorado–Colorado Springs for three years. He then transferred to Division I, playing his final year at the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Transfer to Division I Colorado

Following his junior season in 2015, Derrick White opted to transfer to Division I Colorado to play for Tad Boyle.

2015: NCAA Tournament with Mountain Lions

In 2015, Derrick White led the Mountain Lions to the NCAA tournament. He was also named an All-American that year.

July 6, 2017: Signed with the San Antonio Spurs

On July 6, 2017, Derrick White signed with the San Antonio Spurs after being drafted by them.

October 18, 2017: NBA Debut

On October 18, 2017, Derrick White made his NBA debut for the San Antonio Spurs in a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording no statistics.

2017: Invited to NBA Draft Combine

In 2017, Derrick White was one of 60 NBA prospects invited to the NBA draft combine.

2017: Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs

In 2017, Derrick White was selected 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA draft.

March 12, 2018: Career-High Points

On March 12, 2018, Derrick White scored a career-high 14 points for the San Antonio Spurs in a loss to the Houston Rockets.

April 14, 2018: NBA Playoffs Debut

On April 14, 2018, Derrick White made his NBA playoffs debut, coming off the bench with seven points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.

January 10, 2019: Career-High 23 Points

On January 10, 2019, Derrick White scored a career-high 23 points for the San Antonio Spurs in a double-overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

August 24, 2019: FIBA World Cup Roster

On August 24, 2019, Derrick White was included in the US national team's final roster for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

December 21, 2020: Rookie-Scale Extension

On December 21, 2020, the Spurs announced that they had signed Derrick White to a four-year, $73 million rookie-scale extension.

April 1, 2021: Career-High Three-Pointers

On April 1, 2021, Derrick White hit a career-high seven three-pointers in a double-overtime loss against the Atlanta Hawks, finishing with 29 points.

February 10, 2022: Traded to the Boston Celtics

On February 10, 2022, Derrick White was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 first-round pick, and the rights to swap 2028 first-round picks.

February 2022: Traded to the Boston Celtics

In February 2022, Derrick White was traded to the Boston Celtics and became a key contributor, helping them reach the 2022 NBA Finals.

February 10, 2023: Career-High 33 Points

On February 10, 2023, Derrick White scored a career-high 33 points in a victory against the Charlotte Hornets.

March 18, 2024: First Career Triple-Double

On March 18, 2024, Derrick White recorded his first career triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory over the Detroit Pistons.

April 29, 2024: Playoff Career-High

On April 29, 2024, during Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat, Derrick White had a playoff career-high 38 points in a road victory.

July 1, 2024: Contract Extension with Celtics

On July 1, 2024, Derrick White signed a four-year, $125.9 million extension with the Boston Celtics.

July 10, 2024: Named to Olympic Basketball Team

On July 10, 2024, Derrick White was chosen as a member of the 2024 United States men's Olympic basketball team for the Summer Olympics in Paris, replacing Kawhi Leonard.

2024: NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2024, Derrick White won his first NBA championship with the Boston Celtics and won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic team.

March 5, 2025: Career-High Points

On March 5, 2025, Derrick White scored a career-high 41 points for the Celtics in a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, setting records alongside teammate Payton Pritchard.

December 30, 2025: Career-High Blocks

On December 30, 2025, Derrick White had 27 points and a career-high seven blocks in a victory over the Utah Jazz, tying a record for blocks by a guard in NBA history.