Derrick White may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of the Boston Celtics’ star power-that spotlight usually belongs to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown-but make no mistake: White has become one of the most vital pieces in Boston’s title-contending puzzle. And if you’ve been watching closely, you know he’s not just filling in the gaps-he’s shaping the game in his own way.
Now in his fourth full season with the Celtics after being traded from San Antonio during the 2021-22 season, White has carved out a role that’s hard to define by traditional labels. And that’s exactly how he sees it.
“There’s a big gap between star and role player, and there’s not really a middle ground,” White said recently on his podcast, The White Noise Podcast with Derrick White. “Some games I might be just a role player, some games I might need to score 30. I want to be someone that can do a little bit of everything.”
That mindset has been on full display this season, especially with Tatum missing time due to injury. White hasn’t just stepped up-he’s helped keep the Celtics humming at the top of the Eastern Conference.
His numbers tell part of the story: 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, while logging over 34 minutes a night across 39 appearances. And while his shooting splits-39.4% from the field, 32.8% from three, and a sharp 88.8% from the line-aren’t eye-popping across the board, they underscore his consistency and ability to contribute in multiple ways.
But stats alone don’t capture White’s impact. He’s the kind of player who bends to the needs of the moment.
One night, he’s locking down the opposing team's top guard. The next, he’s spacing the floor and hitting timely threes.
Then there are the games where he takes over offensively, reminding everyone that he’s more than capable of carrying a heavier load.
White’s versatility was a major factor during Boston’s 2024 championship run, and he’s only deepened his value since. He’s the kind of player every contender needs but few actually have-someone who can toggle between roles without ego, execute at a high level on both ends, and elevate his game when the stakes rise.
Whether you want to call him a star or a role player doesn’t really matter. What matters is that Derrick White shows up, game after game, ready to be whatever the Celtics need him to be. And in a league where roles are often rigid and expectations narrowly defined, that kind of adaptability is a star quality all its own.