CU Buffs: Can Derrick White Play At The NBA level?

The college basketball career of Colorado Buffs guard Derrick White is over. His professional career however, may just be beginning.

The Colorado Buffaloes season is over after suffering a 79-74 loss to the University of Central Florida in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament.

The defeat spells the end of Derrick White’s college basketball career, with the senior completing his four years of eligibility — three at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and one with CU.

White finishes as one of only seven Buffs players to score 600 points in a single season, passing the threshold in his final game for Colorado in which he posted 30 points on 11-21 shooting.

The distinction capped off what was a phenomenal season for White, who was named to the All-Pac-12 conference team and led the Buffs in points, assists and steals.

He averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 50% shooting for the season and led the Buffs to a 19-14 overall record.

White has come a long way in five years. He received little interest from college coaches as a senior in high school, standing just 6’1″ and weighing in around 150 pounds. Eventually, White committed to the University of Colorado- Colorado Springs where he played three years of Division II basketball.

After an exceptional sophomore season in which he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2 blocks and 2.2 steals per game, White transferred to Colorado for his senior season for a chance to play Division I basketball.

Not only did White play, he dominated to the point where the former Division II player may now receive interest from the NBA.

He currently sits as the 12th best senior prospect in Draft Express’ senior rankings and Mike Schmitz of Draft Express and The Vertical tweeted that White may have made himself some money on the back of his recent performances.

One of the biggest issues facing White in his potential transition to the pro’s is which guard spot he is going to play.

White is a good on-ball defender with the ability to strip his opponents at least once a game. He shot 39% from three in his lone season at Colorado which makes him a promising ‘three-and-D’ guy along the lines of Gary Harris of the Denver Nuggets.

More from Mile High Maniac

• Denver Nuggets Steal Ducks Darling Bol Bol in Second Round
• Denver Nuggets: Season Grades for the 2018-19 Players
• The 2019-2020 Broncos Depth At Tight End Could Be A Huge Strength To This Offense
• Broncos Position Battles to Watch as Preseason Approaches
• Denver Nuggets: Reflections on an Incredible Season

However, at 6’5″ and 193 pounds, White may lack the size and strength to go against the typical NBA off-guard.

White has the ability to run an offense as the starting point, with the senior guard doing it for the Buffs. If he were to play point guard at the next level, White would have good size. He is a score first guard, which, in today’s NBA is actually a good thing. Steph Curry, Damian Lillard and James Harden are all thriving as high-scoring guards.

One issue facing White and his bid to make the NBA is his lack of experience playing against top flight talent. He spent three seasons plying his trade in Division II before joining the Buffs. While the Pac-12 is a talented conference, some NBA scouts will be quick to point to his lack of playing time in tournaments and against many big programs.

As of right now, White is on the outside looking in. If he is to hear his name called in the upcoming NBA draft he will have to impress at the draft combine and in workouts if he’s invited.

If White doesn’t have his name called, he may find himself on a Summer League roster, fighting for an international contract or spot on a NBA D-League team.

Next: Broncos: Denver Need Tony Romo

If White isn’t running around on an NBA floor next season, he probably will be in Europe. The talent for him to play professional basketball is there. And for a guy who wasn’t recruited out of high school and played Division II basketball for three seasons, that will be a heck of an accomplishment.