Derrick White was in his hometown of Parker, Colorado hosting a youth basketball camp when he got a call from Team USA.
He was meant to be hopping on a plane to Cabo San Lucas, but instead headed to the Persian Gulf to link up with Team USA, after being called in to replace Kawhi Leonard.
“I’d much rather be here,” White said.
The Celtics guard arrived just hours before the team’s practice on Sunday.
“I had assumed that Kawhi was going to continue,” White explained. “I got the call and I was ready to go. … I just had to talk to the family and try to figure out how we can make it work and as quickly as possible. I’m super thankful and grateful and excited to be here.”
The 30-year-old is fresh off a big year, after his first NBA championship with Boston and a second-team All-Defense selection.
White’s defense and his pinpoint shooting from three was pivotal to the Celtics’ success in the regular season and the postseason.
He’s excited to link up with his teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday on a national stage.
“I’m obviously playing with Jrue (Holiday) and JT again,” he said. “It will be a lot of fun. Just looking forward to getting out there.”
White added, “I just want to go out there and do what I do, try to fill any holes we might have.”
He was a member of the 2019 USA World Cup Team that finished with a 6-2 record and in seventh place and Tatum reflected on his time with White in that camp.
“That was my first time really getting to know him,” Tatum told The Athletic. “We were in the same draft class but I didn’t know him much and that’s a testament to him — how hard he works. I dunno if anybody saw that he would get to where he is now, but he deserves all the credit. He’s a hell of a guy, hell of a teammate.”