Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Joel Broida
Men's Basketball 2017 In Review
December 30, 2017 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER - By the time the 2016-17 Colorado basketball season had come to a close, CU fans knew they had witnessed something special in senior Derrick White.
White, who transferred to CU from CU-Colorado Springs, played just one season for Tad Boyle's Buffs — but it was a season to remember. The Parker, Colo., native led the Buffs with 18.1 points, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while also averaging 4.1 rebounds.
But it was more than just pure numbers that made White so special.
A lightly recruited player out of high school, his story captivated Buffs fans, as he made the transition from a star Division II player to one who would ultimately become a first-round selection in the NBA Draft. After his stellar senior season, one in which he was named to the Pac-12's 2017 All-Conference First Team, All-Defensive Team and All-Tournament Team, he was the 29th overall pick in the draft, taken by the San Antonio Spurs.
White also very nearly carried the Buffs to an NCAA Tournament berth on his shoulders. After CU lost its first seven conference games, White took charge and guided the Buffs to eight wins in their final 11 conference games, including a victory over No. 10 Oregon. He finished as the league's second-leading scorer in conference games (18.5 ppg) and had 11 games of at least 20 points against Pac-12 foes — including three 30-point outings.
The Buffs didn't make the NCAA Tournament, but did earn an NIT Invite, and White finished on a strong note. He scored 31 points in a Pac-12 quarterfinal loss to No. 7 Arizona, then tallied 30 against UCF in the NIT first round, his final game as a Buff.
After the season, White continued to improve his NBA stock with outstanding performances at the Portsmouth Invitational and the NBA Combine. When the Spurs selected him, he became just the ninth player in CU history to be taken in the first round.
Men's Basketball Notes
"My favorite memories of the CU men's basketball team for 2017 included both off-the-court and on-the-court excitement. At the NBA draft in 2017, CU graduating senior and point guard Derrick White, was rewarded with a selection by the San Antonio Spurs as the 29th pick, after playing only one season of Division I basketball at CU. What an exciting moment for Derrick and his family, and the Buff basketball program.
"Fast forward to November 2017, another in a long line of great Buff point guards, McKinley Wright IV, led CU to the Paradise Jam Championship and was awarded the MVP trophy. His late game heroics against Quinnipiac, where he hit a buzzer beater for three and the Buffs advanced after battling back for the 70-69 win."
White, who transferred to CU from CU-Colorado Springs, played just one season for Tad Boyle's Buffs — but it was a season to remember. The Parker, Colo., native led the Buffs with 18.1 points, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game, while also averaging 4.1 rebounds.
But it was more than just pure numbers that made White so special.
A lightly recruited player out of high school, his story captivated Buffs fans, as he made the transition from a star Division II player to one who would ultimately become a first-round selection in the NBA Draft. After his stellar senior season, one in which he was named to the Pac-12's 2017 All-Conference First Team, All-Defensive Team and All-Tournament Team, he was the 29th overall pick in the draft, taken by the San Antonio Spurs.
White also very nearly carried the Buffs to an NCAA Tournament berth on his shoulders. After CU lost its first seven conference games, White took charge and guided the Buffs to eight wins in their final 11 conference games, including a victory over No. 10 Oregon. He finished as the league's second-leading scorer in conference games (18.5 ppg) and had 11 games of at least 20 points against Pac-12 foes — including three 30-point outings.
The Buffs didn't make the NCAA Tournament, but did earn an NIT Invite, and White finished on a strong note. He scored 31 points in a Pac-12 quarterfinal loss to No. 7 Arizona, then tallied 30 against UCF in the NIT first round, his final game as a Buff.
After the season, White continued to improve his NBA stock with outstanding performances at the Portsmouth Invitational and the NBA Combine. When the Spurs selected him, he became just the ninth player in CU history to be taken in the first round.
Men's Basketball Notes
- Winning the 2017 Paradise Jam
- McKinley Wright MVP of the Paradise Jam
- Wright hit a last-second shot to beat Quinnipiac in the first round of the Paradise Jam as the Buffs rallied from 13 down with under four minutes left
- George King was on the Paradise Jam All-Star team scoring 25 points in the championship game
- Derrick White is drafted 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs
- White is named All-Pac-12 first team and Pac-12 All-Defense Team
- Colorado upsets No. 10 and eventual Final Four participant Oregon 74-65 on Jan. 28 behind 23 points from White
- White hits 30 points in back-to-back postseason games, 31 vs. No. 7 Arizona in the Pac-12 quarterfinals and 30 at UCF in the NIT
"My favorite memories of the CU men's basketball team for 2017 included both off-the-court and on-the-court excitement. At the NBA draft in 2017, CU graduating senior and point guard Derrick White, was rewarded with a selection by the San Antonio Spurs as the 29th pick, after playing only one season of Division I basketball at CU. What an exciting moment for Derrick and his family, and the Buff basketball program.
"Fast forward to November 2017, another in a long line of great Buff point guards, McKinley Wright IV, led CU to the Paradise Jam Championship and was awarded the MVP trophy. His late game heroics against Quinnipiac, where he hit a buzzer beater for three and the Buffs advanced after battling back for the 70-69 win."
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, June 23
Tuesday, June 02
Thursday, May 21
Monday, April 27