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Buffs in the NBA: Derrick White wins NBA Championship with Boston Celtics

White is the fourth CU alum to celebrate in The Finals
Josh Tolle|
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) celebrates in the locker room after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) celebrates in the locker room after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Elsa/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports | Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

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Colorado Buffaloes

Derrick White added another accolade to his impressive resume on Monday night. The Colorado native helped the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in the Game 5 of the NBA Finals, securing the eighteenth title in franchise history.

White becomes the fourth CU alum and first in 20 years to win a title. Chauncey Billups led the Detroit Pistons past the Los Angeles Lakers and was named Finals MVP in 2004.

White was regular starter for the Celtics, earning NBA All-Defensive honors for a second straight year. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and a steal in 91 games this season.

Celtics Fans: Buy Your NBA Championship SI Digital Commemorative Right Here

As for the hustle, White has that too. What won't show up on a box score is the blood he lost from his face after being smashed into the floor which resulting in a chipped tooth on Monday night.

White’s summer plans might need to be put on hold. It was reported that he's still being considered for a spot with Team USA for the Paris Olympics. If that were to happen, he would be one of two former CU players to suit up on the international stage.

Boston grabs their first NBA title since 2008. They passed the Lakers for most all-time with 18 championships in six of the past eight decades.

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Josh Tolle
JOSH TOLLE

Josh Tolle is a writer covering college sports for On SI. Outside of storytelling, the multi-talented broadcaster has play-by-play experience at the professional and collegiate levels. In 2018, he began calling games for the National Women’s Soccer League. He has also called games for the United Soccer League, Concacaf, and the U.S. Open Cup. He has called hockey for the Premier Hockey Federation for the past three seasons and was the play-by-play voice for the Superior RoughRiders of the Western Hockey League. He has provided play-by-play for various other sports including football, basketball, baseball and volleyball events. Since 2015, Tolle has been the voice of Colorado School of Mines Athletics having called football, men's and women's basketball and soccer. He previously wrote for SB Nation.

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