Derrick White began his collegiate career at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. It's best known as a culinary institution. The Boston Celtics' guard, who later transferred to the University of Colorado, is his previous school's only player to reach the NBA.
White, who went on to become a first-round draft pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2017, is now arguably the best role player in the league. He was a core member of a title team that won 64 regular-season contests.
And while he may never earn an All-Star selection, as he put it on his podcast, "White Noise," "I don't have All-Star numbers, just All-Star impact."
Derrick White says he’s fine with not being selected as an All-Star and “didn’t expect” to make it anyway:
— White Noise Podcast w/Derrick White (@whitenoisepod_) February 14, 2026
“I don’t have All-Star numbers, just All-Star impact.” 💯 pic.twitter.com/6ncc8xnBsB
David Adelman reflects on Derrick White's journey
The Denver Nuggets' head coach has had an up-close view of much of the Colorado native's ascent. Before his team's 103-84 win over the Celtics on Wednesday, Denver's bench boss discussed the evolution of a local star who took an improbable path to reach the level he's at now.
"One thing he does is he plays the same way every night. There's something to be said for that," expressed Adelman, per CLNS Media. "I think from the San Antonio days, it's incredible, when he came in [to] the league, how much you just went under everything with him. He's going to drive the ball to his right hand; that's what he does. He's just turned himself into this confident three-point shooter that makes you have to make a decision nightly. If he does get downhill, he's so effective scoring the basketball.
"On the other side of the court, [he] just keeps coming; great hands. I think he's over a block a game for a guard. Just a complete basketball player. That trade really worked out for them. He just complements whoever he plays with so well. So yeah, he used to be in our gym in the summers when he was back home playing pickup. Just to see where his career has gone, it's very well-deserved, just a really good all-around basketball player."
White finished with 20 points and knocked down 4/9 threes [44.4 percent] in the loss. He also snagged six rebounds, grabbing three at each end of the floor, dished out three assists, swatted three shots, and swiped a steal.
Despite the defeat, the ninth-year guard's performance was a testament to Adelman's comments about his high-level two-way impact. Reaching that level required a dedication to his craft and that steady, consistent approach the Nuggets' head coach praised White for maintaining.