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Celtics' Derrick White Labeled Top 5 Player In NBA By Opposing Head Coach originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ahead of Sunday’s Eastern Conference clash at Rocket Arena, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson labeled Boston Celtics guard Derrick White a top 5 player in the NBA. The praise came during pregame media availability for the March 8 matchup between the 39-24 Cavs and the 42-21 Celtics, framing the contest as a showcase for one of the league’s most complete guards.
White entered the NBA as the 29th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 draft. After building a foundation there, he joined the Celtics via trade in 2022 and quickly became a cornerstone of their backcourt. His two-way reliability helped Boston secure an NBA championship in 2024, while his shot-blocking from the perimeter and versatility has earned multiple All-Defensive team selections. Now in his ninth season and age-31 campaign, White has evolved into a steady leader who stitches lineups together with smart decisions and low turnover rates.
The 2025-26 season has seen White shoulder more responsibility amid roster adjustments and injuries, including Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rupture.
Through 61 games—all starts—White is posting 17.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game while converting 90.4 percent of his free throws. His defense reached new heights in February, when he captured Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month honors for the first time. Recent outings reflect his form: 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks against the Mavericks on Friday, plus a 29-point night earlier in the week against the Hornets.
Atkinson’s comments arrive as the Celtics push through the season’s final stretch and the Cavs continue their own competitive push.
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