Boston Celtics guard Derrick White continues to downplay his individual accolades despite a standout defensive campaign in the 2025-26 season. The veteran recently shared his humble take on the possibility of winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
“I don’t think I have a chance,” White said.
Derrick White on potentially winning Defensive Player of the Year:
“I don’t think I have a chance.”
(Via @justinquinnn) pic.twitter.com/AvKDt9GYPk
— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) March 12, 2026
This comes shortly after White earned Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month honors for February. His contributions have been key to the Celtics maintaining one of the NBA’s best defensive ratings as the team sits at 43-22 overall heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
White’s all-around game makes him a unique asset. The 6-foot-4 guard provides elite perimeter defense, help-side rotations and even rim protection, averaging a career-best 1.4 block per game this season. Teammates and coaches have praised his impact on Boston’s defensive identity.
While awards like Defensive Player of the Year often go to big men or flashier names, White’s consistency has drawn attention from voters. Yet the guard remains focused on team success as the Celtics push for a high playoff seed in the East.
White has appeared in 63 games for the Celtics this season, averaging 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per contest while shooting 39.4 percent from the field.
The Celtics had another guard win DPOY in 2022 when Marcus Smart took home the award.
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