Celtics’ Derrick White makes NBA All-Defensive first team for first time

Celtics guard Derrick White on Friday was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive first team for the first time. White was a second-team selection in 2023 and 2024.

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He is joined on the first team by Spurs center and Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama, Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Pistons forward Ausar Thompson, and Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. White received 58 first-team votes and 30 second-team votes from a 100-member media panel.

Last month, White finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was first among guards.

This season White was an anchor for Boston’s fourth-ranked defense, which was 7.4 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. White averaged 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, both career highs.

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Despite White’s remarkable defensive season, his year ended on a sour note offensively. He made just 32.1 percent of his shots and 27.3 percent of his 3-pointers in Boston’s first-round playoff loss to the seventh-seeded 76ers.

This season White also won the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award, an honor voted on by players.

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The Celtics’ Jaylen Brown was among the five finalists for the award.