Derrick White arrived in Abu Dhabi early Sunday morning to officially join Team USA at training camp following his late call-up last week.
The Celtics guard replaced Kawhi Leonard for the Summer Olympics Games after the Clippers wing withdrew from the roster this past Wednesday, as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
While it was reported during the NBA Finals last month that White was considered as a potential candidate to fill in if any spots opened up on Team USA, the Celtics champion figured he wouldn't get a call once Leonard had already been through the first few practices in Las Vegas.
"I kind of figured it out when everybody else figured out when [ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski] tweeted it, and then me and my agent were talking about it a little bit through the summer," White told reporters Sunday "But I had assumed that Kawhi was going to continue. But then when I seen all that happened and I got the call, I was ready to go."
White, who just signed a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension over a week ago, couldn't join the team right away before their first exhibition game against Canada due to having to finish a basketball camp in his native Colorado. The veteran did have plans to travel this weekend but it was to take a vacation with his family.
"I'm supposed to be in Cabo right now," White said. "But it's better to be here."
Once White found out the news of replacing Leonard, his planned Cabo trip, which he booked when it appeared that Team USA was all set, went out the window.
"I just had to talk to the family and try to figure out how we can make it work and as quickly as possible," White said. "I'm super thankful and grateful and excited to be here."
Since White has gotten the call, many were surprised that he become the third Celtic on Team USA instead of Jaylen Brown -- who didn't seem too pleased to learn he had been snubbed. The NBA Finals MVP spoke on the red carpet at the ESPYs Thursday just over 24 hours after the news broke of his teammate getting the invite instead of him, saying "one day I'll share my story."
Still, White is coming off a career year on his way to a championship with the Celtics. He averaged 15.2 points per contest this past 2023-24 campaign, posing career highs in 3-point shooting percentage (39.6) and assists (5.2 per game).
White's defense also speaks for its self and most likely put his candidacy to join Team USA over the top, after posting a steal and 1.2 blocks per game this past season -- while making second-team All-Defense once again.
"I just want to go out there and do what I do, try to fill any holes we might have," White said of what his role may be on an already star-studded roster.
With the Olympics set to start in 14 days, White is also excited to have the Celtics well-represented with Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday already in the fold for Team USA -- as he attempts to obtain his first gold medal just weeks after winning an NBA championship.
"I'm obviously playing with Jrue and JT again," White said. "It will be a lot of fun. Just looking forward to getting out there."
Team USA will remain in Abu Dhabi when they take on Australia Monday afternoon (12:30 pm tip-off on FS1) for their second exhibition ahead of the Olympics. The group stages at the Paris Summer Games begin July 28 for the United States against Serbia.
Joel Pavón
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