Derrick White discusses reconnecting with Lonnie Walker: ‘Wants to learn’

BOSTON — Following last year’s successes, the Boston Celtics look nearly identical this season. Brad Stevens re-signed Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman, and Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, and Derrick White inked new contract extensions. But just because they maintained almost their entire core didn’t stop them from making additions.

Lonnie Walker IV stepped into Celtics training camp as a surprise signing. He didn’t end up getting a deal for most of free agency, so Boston swooped in and took a chance on him. Now, he’ll be fighting for the 15th roster spot, and he’s back to playing alongside his former San Antonio Spurs teammate, White.

And the two of them couldn’t be any more thrilled.

Derrick White and Lonnie Walker are back together again

After practice on Sunday, White spoke about getting the chance to reconnect with Walker. The two have been friends since their time together in San Antonio, and White said that the 25-year-old is very eager to learn and grow.

“Obviously, a hell of an athlete,” White said of Walker. “A guy that just wants to learn and wants to grow. He has a great attitude every day. Just comes in, he's competing, he's learning, and it's been nice reconnecting with him like the old days.”

Walker spent last season with the Brooklyn Nets, but after a one-year deal there, he failed to generate much buzz this summer. Now, he could be looking at some time in the G League.

Despite that, he’s spoken at length about his willingness to do whatever it takes, and just like White, he’s very happy to be playing with a friend again.

“It was an amazing experience," Walker said. "Derrick is literally one of my closest friends. I went to his wedding. I know all about Hannah and Hendrix and everyone. We kind of had the same experience, as far as our upbringing, as far as being a rookie and trying to earn your way up.

“Even with the Spurs, being a young rookie, he was one of the main players that I was trying to mimic my game and watch, 'Okay, I see how Derek's playing. Now, if I do some of these things, maybe I'm going to earn my minutes because of how he plays defensively, the charges, and the offensive and defensive rebounds, and things that he does.' So, even at the Spurs, I was still trying to mimic what he does. And it's kind of a full circle [moment], being with him and still trying to play how he plays and kind of earn my way back up.”