Derrick White talked about his change of plans when he received the call from Steve Kerr to join Team USA for the Olympics. The NBA champion also commented on the Serbian team's potential and the upcoming matchup with the Balkan side.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White was recently named as the replacement for Kawhi Leonard on Team USA's squad for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
White joins the national team following a successful NBA championship campaign with the Celtics. His all-around contributions were pivotal to Boston's title run, where he averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers per game.
Recently, the 30-year-old also secured his future with the Celtics by signing a lucrative four-year contract extension worth $125.9 million.
This won't be White's first stint representing Team USA, as he previously competed in the FIBA World Cup in 2019, contributing 5.9 points per game as the team finished in seventh place.
"A lot has changed since 2019, I'm very excited to play with Tatum and Jrue [Holiday] again in the national team. I can't wait to be back on the floor with them and do what we do best," White told the media in Abu Dhabi, per Mozzart Sport.
The NBA champion took the journalists through everything that happened in the previous days and weeks in his life, from winning the ring to the invitation he received from USA Basketball to replace Kawhi Leonard.
"I received a call from the national team and of course, I immediately talked to the family to see if and how it could all be done," he revealed.
"I am very grateful and excited. I knew there was a chance to be with the team when (Adrian) Wojnarowski sent the tweet. My agent and I talked a little about it right after the season ended, so I waited patiently. They contacted us and now we are here," White continued.
White revealed that he already had plans with his family, but when he got the call from the national team, everything changed.
"I had plans, of course, we should have been in Cabo (editor's note: a resort city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula) by now. But of course, I'm here now. After winning the title, I decided to rest a bit, but when I got the call from the national team, I immediately started working."
Derrick White has come a long way in the last few years. From only being on the national team's radar, through his 2019 World Cup appearance, all the way to the title with Boston and Steve Kerr's invitation.
"Truly an amazing journey," he reflected.
"I’ve gotten better with each passing year, and this year I definitely feel the best compared to all previous campaigns, especially my first stint with the national team. I believe we have great quality now, and my idea is to play whatever role is needed, to fill in any gaps that might arise.
I haven’t spoken to coach Steve [Kerr] yet about the role he has in mind for me, but I’ve just gotten here; my goal is to get out on the court and see where I can make my mark," White argued.
The combo guard remembers the game against Serbia five years ago when the two sides battled it out for 5th place in the World Cup. Now, in the Paris Olympics, several important players are back with the Balkan team.
The USA will play Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists Australia and 2023 World Cup silver medalists Serbia at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on July 15 (Monday) and 17 (Wednesday) respectively.
"A very talented Serbian team," White observed.
"[Nikola] Jokic is amazing, there are many talented players, from top to bottom. It will be a game of exceptional quality. It’s exciting to think about.
You always want to represent your country in the best way, and national teams have only gotten better over the years. It will be very interesting to play against all the rivals that await us," concluded Derrick White.
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