Boston Celtics
White was one among two gamers within the league with 80 or extra blocks and steals every in 2025-26.
The Boston Celtics’ 2025-26 season ended abruptly in disappointing style with a first-round exit by the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this month.
However the Celtics’ common season was one thing particular. They completed second within the Japanese Convention with a 56-26 report, largely with out Jayson Tatum, after many predicted them to have a bridge 12 months.
Guard Derrick White actually aided in Boston’s regular-season success. He had himself a 12 months to recollect on the defensive finish of the court docket, which earned him his first-career NBA All-Defensive First Group nod with 58 votes, the NBA introduced Friday.
White, who stands at 6-foot-4, recorded a career-high 98 blocks and 88 steals. He was the fourth Celtic in franchise historical past to report these numbers and the primary to report 75-plus blocks and 75-plus steals since Kevin Garnett.
The 31-year-old led all guards with 552 contested photographs and 1.3 blocks per recreation. He notched 37 video games out of 77 whole with a minimum of one steal and one block, which additionally led all guards.
Boston’s protection was 7.4 factors per 100 possessions higher with White on the ground, which properly encapsulates the participant’s affect on the crew since being traded to Boston in 2022.
White is simply the eleventh Celtic to be named to an All-Defensive First Group. He was named to the All-Defensive Second Group in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
White had a blended bag offensively all season, however he recorded profession bests in factors per recreation (16.5) and assists (5.4). He additionally recorded 4.4 rebounds per recreation. He notably got here up quick from the sphere within the postseason (32.1 p.c) and 27.3 p.c from past the arc.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla lauded White’s means and expertise when requested about his taking pictures droop after Recreation 3 towards Philly.
“Anyone that ever doubts D-White, they don’t actually care about profitable,” Mazzulla mentioned on April 25 (via MassLive). “There’s a aggressive confidence there. There’s a personality piece there. He’s not outlined simply by shot-making. He did an amazing job. These two rebounds have been big-time rebounds, and he can affect profitable in so many various methods. So I’m at all times going to double down on his aggressive character, who he’s.”
Celtics heart Neemias Queta and ahead/G Jaylen Brown obtained eight and 7 All-Defensive votes, respectively.
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