Buffaloes Derrick White drafted by Spurs in first round

Derrick White’s once impossible dream has finally come true. He’s officially an NBA player right after the San Antonio Spurs drafted him with the 29th pick of the first round.

White’s one season with the Buffs was one of the greatest single season performances in program history. White played in all 34 games for Buffs and averaged 18.1 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals. The only player in all of college basketball with all-around stats equal to or better than White was Markelle Fultz, the first pick in the draft. White was omnipresent for the Buffs as he carried the team almost single-handedly to the NIT. His excellence was rewarded with recognition as First Team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Defense.

White, a native of Parker, Colorado, played two seasons at University Colorado at Colorado Springs in Division-II before transferring to CU-Boulder last summer. He took a redshirt season to get stronger get acclimated to the Colorado program, and though it’s silly he had to sit out a year as a D-II transfer, he certainly made the most of it. White will be the first former D-II NBA player since the legendary Ben Wallace.

With the Spurs, White will be valued predominantly for his diverse, three-level offensive game. White is both one of the best shooters in the draft and one of the best playmakers. His size, skill, basketball IQ and court vision make him an ideal point guard for the pick-and-roll, which is essential in the modern NBA, especially so for San Antonio. White is also a solid defender who can defend both guard positions, and though he isn’t the best athlete in the draft, he still has some upside on that end.

Congratulations to Derrick White, we couldn’t be more proud of him.

Of course it was the Spurs :)