Celtics guard Derrick White is expected to play a key role for Boston in 2026-27, but his off-court focus is shifting too: the University of Colorado announced he will serve as the school’s first “President of Basketball Strategy,” advising on NIL, revenue sha
Boston’s Derrick White may be known for defense—rim protection, shutting down attackers, and converting from beyond the arc—but his next assignment is happening far from the hardwood.
On Tuesday, the University of Colorado announced that the 31-year-old guard will serve as the men’s basketball program’s first “President of Basketball Strategy.” The move is part of a broader plan to bring a former player’s experience into the day-to-day work of the program.
As part of his new role. White will assist head coach Tad Boyle and his staff in a range of areas. The school says he will help with topics that now shape college basketball beyond X’s and O’s. including NIL. revenue sharing. roster construction. athlete development. and team culture. White will also serve as a program ambassador for the Buffaloes. working on donor relations and helping generate new revenue opportunities for the program.
Colorado also announced a major financial component to the appointment: White made a donation of $2 million to the men’s basketball program.
In a statement. White said. “Colorado has always been home to me and I’m so thrilled to be able to give back to a program that has been so instrumental in making me the person I am today.” He added. “This position gives me an opportunity to lend my knowledge and experience to create the next generation of Buffs basketball players.”.
For White, the connection runs deep. He hails from Parker. Colorado. played one season with the Buffaloes in 2016-17. and averaged 18.1 points and 4.4 assists during that lone year. He began his collegiate career at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs before joining the Buffaloes in 2015-16. missing a year due to transfer rules. before establishing himself as a legitimate NBA prospect as a redshirt senior.
On the professional side, White was drafted 29th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Spurs. Since arriving in Boston via trade in the 2021-22 season. he helped the Celtics win an NBA title and later added an Olympic gold medal with Team USA in 2024. White became one of eight players all-time to win an NBA title and an Olympic gold in the same year. joining Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum in that rare club.
With the 2026-27 Celtics season coming into focus, White is once again expected to play a key role as a defensive stopper, rim protector, and 3-point threat—while also taking on the kind of leadership job that reaches into the business and culture of the sport.
For Colorado, the appointment is both a symbolic homecoming and a practical bet: tying the program’s future to a player who helped make it part of his own story, and who is now pledging time, expertise, and money to keep the Buffs building.
Derrick White Colorado Buffaloes Tad Boyle men’s basketball NIL revenue sharing roster construction athlete development team culture Celtics NBA Draft Spurs Jayson Tatum