- Derrick White, a Colorado native, began his collegiate career at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, a school known more for its culinary program than its basketball team.
- Despite his unconventional path, White has become one of the best role players in the NBA, playing a key role on a championship-winning team and making an "All-Star impact" even without All-Star numbers.
- Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman, who has seen White's development up close, praised the guard's consistent approach, three-point shooting, and two-way impact, noting how far he has come since playing pickup games in Adelman's gym during the summers.