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Celtics Star Derrick White Shares Untold Blake Griffin Story

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 12:05 AM ET

Derrick White and Blake Griffin were once teammates on the Boston Celtics. Griffin joined the Celtics in what would be the last season of his NBA career, while White was about to enter his first full season in Boston.

Griffin was no longer the All-Star he was for the Los Angeles Clippers or Detroit Pistons, but the Celtics counted on him to be a starter when Boston was resting Al Horford and Rob ert Williams III was out with an injury. He started in 16 of the 41 games he played, averaging 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field and 34.8% from three.

Of the 16 games in which Griffin was inserted into the starting lineup, White started in 14 of them. White was originally a starter because of Williams' injury problems, but he started in 70 of the 82 games he played in that season.

Derrick White Revealed How Blake Griffin Gave Him Confidence

White talked about Griffin's influence on him during his Tuesday episode of his podcast, "White Noise Podcast," where he revealed an interaction between him and Griffin that left an impression on him.

“One thing I’ll remember is we were doing dinner or something and he pulled me aside,” White said. “He was like, ‘I didn’t realize how good you were until I was on a team with you.’ You play someone every now and then. You don’t really know. You’re not watching every game. He’s like, ‘I had no idea.’ I was like, ‘Thanks, Blake.’"

White then revealed how this conversation with Griffin impacted him as a player that season.

“That gave me a lot of confidence. I don’t know if reassurance is the right word or not, but a lot of confidence to keep going, like, Blake believes in me. I’m doing something right. He didn’t have to do that, but he pulled me aside and told me. That was dope.”

The stats might not do him justice, but White broke out with the Celtics that season. He shot his highest three-point percentage since his rookie season, shooting 38.1% from distance. He also made himself stand out as a defender, making his first NBA All-Defense team.

White has only built himself more from there, as his scoring average has gone from 12.4 points in his first full season with the Celtics to 16.4 in his third. Griffin may not have single-handedly helped White get there, but part of what helped White break out was his confidence, which Blake certainly helped with.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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