The Inspiring Journey of Derrick White: From Unknown to NBA First Round Pick

🏀Derrick White's journey from a small high school player to an NBA first-round pick is an inspiration for aspiring basketball players.

📚White's decision to transfer from Division II to Division I showcased his belief in his abilities and his desire to compete at a higher level.

💪White's growth spurt and improved skills during his college years helped him gain recognition from bigger schools and NBA scouts.

🔥White's standout performance in his final year of college at the University of Colorado Boulder elevated his draft stock and led to his selection by the San Antonio Spurs.

🏆White's work ethic combined with the Spurs' player development system will likely lead to future success and achievements in the NBA.

What were some of the obstacles Derrick White faced in his journey?

—Derrick White faced several obstacles, such as being overlooked by Division I colleges due to his height and weight and receiving limited scholarship offers. He had to transfer from a Division II school to a Division I school to gain more recognition.

How did Derrick White's growth spurt impact his basketball career?

—Derrick White experienced a late growth spurt, growing over five inches at the age of 18. This growth spurt, combined with his improved skills, caught the attention of NBA scouts and contributed to his success in college and his selection in the NBA draft.

Why did Derrick White decide to transfer to the University of Colorado Boulder?

—Derrick White wanted to challenge himself by playing at a higher level of competition. He transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder, a Division I college, to showcase his skills and gain more exposure from NBA scouts.

What impact did Derrick White have in his final year of college at the University of Colorado Boulder?

—Derrick White had an outstanding final year of college, averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team and demonstrated significant improvement in his defensive skills.

What can we expect from Derrick White in the NBA?

—With Derrick White's work ethic and the San Antonio Spurs' player development system, we can expect him to continue growing and improving as a player. He has the potential to achieve great success in the NBA.

00:00This video is about the inspiring journey of Derrick White, the 29th pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs.

00:11Derrick White grew up in Colorado and attended Legend High School, where he developed a passion for basketball.

00:32Despite his height and weight limitations, Derrick's goal was to secure a scholarship to play Division I college basketball.

01:07Derrick received limited interest from colleges, with his only offers coming from Johnson & Wales University and a junior college in Wyoming.

01:43Fortunately, Derrick caught the attention of Jeff Culver, the head coach of Johnson & Wales University, who later became the head coach at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

02:33Derrick's growth spurt during his senior year of high school, combined with his performance at Colorado Springs, earned him a spot on the University of Colorado Boulder basketball team.

04:03In his final year at Colorado Boulder, Derrick excelled, averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He received accolades and gained recognition from NBA scouts.

05:59Derrick's hard work and impressive college career led to his selection by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 NBA draft.