JAKARTA - Derrick White is ready to vacation with her small family after helping the Boston Celtics win the NBA 2023/2024 season after beating Dallas Mavericks 4-1.
However, White suddenly got a call from his agent. The 30-year-old basketball player was asked to join the United States Basketball National Team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
White was surprised considering that there was the name Kawi Leonard who was in his position. Apparently, Leonard suffered an injury so he had to be crossed out.
Derrick White is also the only and last choice to complete the United States basketball squad.
He is a versatile player with Celtics with defensive attributes, scoring points, and leading attacks just as well.
Suddenly, the news made the agenda that White had designed for the family vacation messy. On the other hand, he is happy to be able to defend his country at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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"Why did he (the agent) call me? I've heard a lot from him last week. So I wonder why he called me."
"He told me (I'm in the United States team). I just have to figure out the family situation immediately, but I'm very happy," White said.
However, White did not immediately leave his family. He changed the family vacation agenda by going to Paris together to watch the Olympics.
He brought his wife and two children on their way with the United States Basketball National Team. The problem is, White can't go with her father, Richard.
Richard White is known to have no passport when Derrick had to leave for Paris. Even so, the Celtics player immediately rushed to take care of all the administration so that his father could follow.
The father became a meaningful figure for Derrick White's basketball career. Richard is a supporter and coach who has always guided Derrick so far.
"He's always been around my whole life. He was my coach as he grew up, always there to support me. It's great to see him come on this trip and see how happy and proud he is of me," said Derrick White.
Derrick White Street has a place in the United States Basketball National Team for Olympics such as de javu.
Long before, he had been sent a message from his colleague about dreams of defending the United States at the Olympics.
"My colleague (from Colorado) sent a text message. If you want to be part of the United States Basketball National Team while in Colorado Springs (UCCS), I have to get an internship," said Derrick White.
White also made this suggestion. He started his basketball career while studying at the Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) Division II, a place that happened to be the location for the USA Olympic Training Center (USOC).
White then moved to Colorado University for his last year and played until the first half of NBA Draft.
After spending four and a half seasons with San Antonio Spurs, he was exchanged to the Celtics in 2022. In the Boston Celtics, he grew rapidly as one of the best players and a reliable scorer.
He just signed a four-year contract extension earlier in July.
"Right now, I'm in the (US National Team) team and will play in the Olympics. It's a bit crazy how it's been like this, especially after Springs and USOC were there. So, it's really special," said Derrick White.
Meanwhile, all United States basketball players are already in Paris to conduct their final training. They are eyeing their fifth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics.
White was also very enthusiastic about chasing a gold medal after hearing the story of his teammate at the Celtics, Jrue Holiday.
Holiday shared the experience of how happy it was to win the NBA and win an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
"Every time you can play for the United States Basketball national team, it's special. The group we have is working for a common goal, this is what makes basketball fun."
"It's a little different from the NBA because it's a long season, you're with the players longer. It's (with the US Basketball National Team) just six games that are fast and congested. That's the biggest difference. However, you play for something special, it's fun," said Derrick White.
Jrue Holiday once married an NBA trophy and an Olympic gold medal. This happened in 2021 when he became an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks before helping the United States win a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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