So, as Team USA began training camp in Las Vegas, Derrick White and his father, Richard, were busy preparing for the annual Derrick White Basketball Academy, a week-long basketball camp held for kids in Parker, Colorado. A month ago, they said that if Kawhi was unable to play, he?d be on the shortlist to be called up as a replacement, Richard White told CelticsBlog in an exclusive interview. Then, when Kawhi showed up at camp, he kind of thought like this was never going to happen.
On a team inundated with stars and score-first players like Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Devin Booker Derrick?s addition could be just what is missing. They?re looking for specific skill sets and stuff, Richard said. He was on the list, and he just narrowly missed out being on the original list. Whether Derrick deserved has become an increasingly popular talk show discussion. But, according to his father, he?s not fazed by the discourse. There?s always going to be some sort of chatter or buzz about something, Richard said. This whole year, there was always stuff being said. He goes and he controls what he can control.
According to Richard, Derrick has a good sense of what his role will be on Team USA. They?ve got it scripted out, Richard said. They sent him defense and the offensive game plan, and they told him specifically what role and when he?s going to play, and that kind of stuff. It?s all kind of geared up and in place. While White is joining the team late, he?ll be greeted by several familiar faces, namely Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday, with whom he just won an NBA Championship. Everybody knows everybody, so there?s no real surprises, Richard said. It?s kind of interesting to see the different relationship bonds that build. He?ll also be joined by a myriad of all-time greats who he?s never been teammates with, such as Lebron James, who praised White for his ?poise, his ability to guard, his ability to shoot the ball. via Celticsblog
