San Antonio Spurs: 5 reasons Derrick White was a good pick

Jan 28, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Derrick White (21) after the game against the Oregon Ducks at Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Ducks 74-65. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Derrick White (21) after the game against the Oregon Ducks at Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Ducks 74-65. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Antonio Spurs
Feb 23, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Derrick White (21) reacts during the second half against the Utah Utes at the Coors Events Center. The Utes defeated the Buffaloes 86-81. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Humble

White did not have your typical journey to the NBA. He didn’t even have a typical journey to college basketball. As a 6’0″ combo guard in high school, he had zero scholarships from Division I schools. He got a late offer from a Division II university to come play basketball on a partial scholarship. Partial.

There are 16- and 17-year-olds out there who know they will go to a top school for free for one year then go to the NBA, and Derrick White was getting a single, partial offer for Division II.

His humble beginnings forced White to keep working hard, and that likely won’t change now that he’s made it. These traits will be important for being a Spur, as it is known egos get checked at the door day one. If he stays true to these characteristics he should fit with the team nicely moving forward.