Former Buff Derrick White joins US men’s basketball team ahead of Summer Olympics

Derrick White’s year keeps getting better

Now that Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is officially ruled out for the 2024 Paris Olympics, former Colorado star Derrick White will take his spot on the U.S. men’s basketball team.

The Team USA nod is another mark of success in what has been the best year of White’s basketball career.  The 30-year-old guard posted a career season for the NBA champion Boston Celtics in his seventh year in the league, averaging 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists while remaining the best shot-blocking guard in the league. As a reward, the former Buff was named a potential replacement player for Leonard in mid-June before signing a large contract extension with the Celtics on July 1.

White’s selection will make him the third-ever CU men’s basketball alum to play for the U.S. men’s basketball team in the Summer Olympics, following in the steps of Burdette Haldorson and Bob Jeangerard. White also joins Boston teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday on the stacked national team roster.

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