It is only appropriate that a Legend High School player continue to build his legacy in the Centennial State, as former UCCS and CU basketball standout Derrick White “paid back” the University of Colorado with a sizeable donation and was named the men’s program’s first President of Basketball Strategy. READ MORE
At a morning media session at the Touchdown Club at Folsom Field in Boulder, CU Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo and head men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle officially announced White’s $2 million gift to the men’s basketball program and new role with the team.
“Colorado has always been home to me, and I’m so thrilled to be able to give back to a program that has been so instrumental in making me the person I am today,” said White after being introduced by Lovo. “This position gives me an opportunity to lend my knowledge and experience to create the next generation of Buffs basketball players.”
Boyle, who coached White during his only season with the Buffs during the 2016-2017 campaign when he led CU in scoring, said, “Derrick’s incredible abilities as a basketball player are well known, but he’s an even better person. His character and integrity are unmatched, and he is the perfect person to teach, lead, and inspire future players in our program. My deepest heartfelt thanks to Derrick, his wife Hannah, and his entire family for their unwavering support of CU men’s basketball.”
Lovo, who met White during a trip in April to Boston with Boyle and assistant coach Nate Tomlinson, said, “Getting to know Derrick since my arrival has been an absolute pleasure, and I could not be more excited for him to join us in this role. Derrick is a Buffs legend, but what stands out most is his heart and his desire to give back. His generosity is about more than a single gift. He wants to inspire others to invest in our student-athletes and build a culture of giving that lifts this entire department. I am thrilled to work alongside him and leverage the experience of an NBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist not only to elevate our men’s basketball program, but all of CU Athletics.”
White, the state of Colorado’s second all-time leading scorer behind Colorado School of Mines Raul Varela, 1992-1996, 2,551 points, 106 games, 24.1 average), played only one season for CU after starting his collegiate career at UCCS for coach Jeff Culver. For 121 career games at UCCS (2012-2015) and CU (2016-2017), White scored 2,527 for a 20.9 average.
With his 32nd birthday approaching on July 2, the Parker native led the Buffs in points (615), points per game (18.1), assists (148), steals (42), minutes (1,116), and three-pointers (57). His 49 blocks that year are the CU record for most blocks in a season by a guard.
White was named to the All-Pac-12 Conference First Team, Pac-12 All-Defensive, and All-Tournament Teams before being selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft with the 29th overall pick.
Lightly recruited out of high school with no offers from a four-year school, White was recruited to UCCS by then-first-season coach Jeff Culver, where he was offered a room-and-board stipend for his freshman season.
White became a star at UCCS, starting every game of his three-year career and leaving as the Mountain Lions’ career leader in points (1,912) and assists (343). As a junior, White averaged 25.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists for the Mountain Lions, leading the UCCS to a 27-6 record and a 2015 NCAA tournament berth. He was named an All-American.
