Celtics starter Derrick White has been incredibly crucial this season for the Boston Celtics with his two-way threat capabilities. Recently, he seemed emotional as fans of his former team cheered him on for a 2024 NBA All-Star Selection.
The player who is having one of his greatest seasons in the league may very well get one of his first All-Star game selections for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game which will take place in Indiana, later this year.
Derrick White thankful for 2024 NBA All-Star cheers from Spurs fans
The 29-year-old guard is having his best season as a player averaging a career-high 17 points per game alongside 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists. A beautiful offense and defense player, White has been explosive for the Celtics and has helped thrust them to a league-best 26-6 record. In the 29 games, Derrick White was available for, the Celtics star started in all 29 games which shows how indispensable he is to Boston’s squad rotation.
In the interview after the game against Spurs, where the Celtics crushed the San Antonio squad, White was speaking to the reporter on the happenings of the game. The player was then interrupted by Celtics’ teammate Jrue Holiday who cheered White on for an All-Star game selection for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
The San Antonio Spurs fans seemed to agree with Holiday as they hailed chants for their former player, Derrick White, recommending and praising his name for the coveted NBA game.
“White’s an All-Star! White’s an All-Star!”, chants flooded the Spurs arena on multiple occasions.
The Celtics’ guard also spoke about his infamous defensive moment against Spurs rookie and generational talent, Victor Wembanyama. In the play, the #1 rookie from this year’s NBA draft rushed for a wide-open fastbreak, only trailed by White. As Wemby, leaped to great heights to dunk the ball, Derrick was seen refraining from any sort of contact and appeared as if he did not want to defend the 7’4″ giant. The 6’4″ White appeared to be all smiles as he narrated the incident.
“He just picked it up and I never saw it again so I was like ‘Oh well, let me get on outta here'”, White said regarding the play.
White was drafted 29th in the first round in the 2017 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs and ever since the fans from the Spurs’ Frost Bank Center have never failed to motivate the star and always considered him as their own.
Speaking on his potential 2024 All-Star game selection, White remarked, “I mean I’m just thankful. I’m just trying to go out there and help us win. If I was to make the All-Star game, it’s because of how much we are winning”.
White will hope to continue his tremendous string of performances to fuel the Celtics every night and will also hope that his consistency will bring him his first All-Star Game selection.
Spurs president Gregg Popovich praises Derrick White
Legendary San Antonio Spurs coach and one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, Gregg Popovich showered praises on Derrick White after his colossal improvements pushed him to be the player he is today. Popovich explained that the player believed that he did not belong in the NBA and that it was remarkable to see his current levels of performance, considering his prior beliefs.
Pop also credited Derrick’s natural feel for the game and his ‘innate’ passing abilities which according to Pop, he was too humble to play out.
Speaking to the press, Popovich said, “I just couldn’t be more proud of a player. When he first came, 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”.
One of the most invariable and dependable players on the Celtics, White was constantly applauded by his former coach and parent figure in the basketball realm.
“He’s one of the greatest guys ever and his confidence has just exploded. It’s been a process. He’s been in the league six, seven years? I’m not sure anymore, but he’s a great story. Starting out at the bottom and believing in himself and doing the work necessary to get where he is now. So, just thrilled for him”, Popovich exclaimed.
While shooting a career-high 48.6% from mid-range and 41.3% from beyond the arc, White was unstoppable in the month of December as his scoring shot up to 20.5 points per game.
What do you think of Derrick White as a player? Do you think he deserves an All-Star selection this season? Will White help the Celtics win the championship this season? We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions, so please let us know in the comments below.
