Following a dominant preseason (albeit in a small sample size), could Boston Celtics guard Derrick White finally make his first All-Star team during the 2025-26 NBA season?
With Boston tipping off its new campaign on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers, insider Jay King of The Athletic revealed his 15 “bold” predictions for the year on Monday.
After averaging 21.7 points, 7.0 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game across three preseason contests, King sees White earning his first All-Star nod over the winter.
“Preseason statistics don’t always carry over to the regular season, but White’s sky-high usage rate (27.8 percent) was a sign of things to come. If he remains as aggressive during the regular season — and he should — — there is the possibility of him establishing new career highs in scoring and assists,” the Celtics writer said. “Combined with his always-sparkling impact numbers, he will have a strong case for the All-Star Game if the Celtics win enough games. They will be good enough for him to make an All-Star team for the first time.”
The 31-year-old former first-round pick averaged career highs in points (16.4), rebounds (4.5) and minutes per game (33.9) in 76 contests last season while posting a solid .442/.384/.839 shooting line as well.
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With back-to-back top 10 finishes in the league’s Defensive Player of the Year voting too, White might be Boston’s best defender.
The Colorado product was also No. 26 on ESPN’s “NBA Rank,” counting down the top 100 players in the Association for the upcoming season.
White may be on the verge of a true breakout this year.
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Featured image via Winslow Townson/Imagn Images
