Derrick White becomes latest NBA star to work for alma mater, tabs role with CU Buffs

Derrick White, the Division II legend turned Buffs standout will be introduced Wednesday as Colorado men's basketball's first-ever President of Basketball Strategy

BY JAKE SHAPIRO

Jun 23, 2026, 7:00 PM

Follow on Google News

Watch: A Backup QB Battle, Bo Nix And The Broncos Get Used To Davis Webb, And Could Taysom Hill Be Denver-Bound - Three Big Things From Broncos Training Camp | 14 mins

He arrived in Boulder as an interesting lower division transfer. He returns with a big gift and a huge role to show his seriousness about propelling the Colorado Buffaloes forward.

Derrick White, the Division II legend turned Buffs standout, to first round pick and eventually NBA champion plus Olympic gold medalist, will be introduced Wednesday as Colorado men’s basketball’s first-ever President of Basketball Strategy, the program announced Tuesday night. The press conference is set for Wednesday morning.

And don’t worry about what it took to pry White from his $30 million a year contract with the Boston Celtics. He and his family have pledged $2 million to the program as part of his new role. It’s all about the Parker kid giving back to the launching pad to his rocket ship to becoming one of the best two-way guards in the world. He’ll still hoop in the NBA while he gets to work under the Flatirons.

White spent two years in Boulder under Tad Boyle, only playing one due to antiquated transfer rules that robbed Buffs fans of a White-Josh Scott pairing. But White’s one year playing was still a standout, even if it only resulted in an NIT appearance.

Now it’s White, putting his rise next to his old coach’s, who has taken what was a pretty lifeless program and has kept them relevant for two decades. There’s been big upsets, postseason wins and plenty of NBA players to come through Boulder, a big change from what life was like before Boyle. White is just one of Boyle’s many successes in plucking an overlooked guard and helping them toward the pros.

White’s role is bigger than nostalgia. He joins a growing fraternity of NBA stars lending their names — and their know-how — to the schools that built them. Trae Young is Oklahoma’s assistant GM. Steph Curry holds the same title at Davidson. Jayson Tatum, White’s Boston teammate, is Duke’s Chief Basketball Officer. Desmond Bane (TCU), Terance Mann (Florida State) and Damian Lillard (Weber State) round out the list.

Wednesday’s event will feature White, Boyle and new athletic director Fernando Lovo. A handful of former and current Buffs are expected to attend, along with a select group of donors and season ticket holders. On Tuesday, the program sent out a post featuring White and some familiar faces at an event.