One on one with Boston Celtics guard Derrick White

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Having grown up in Parker, Boston Celtics Guard Derrick White came back to his hometown where more than 400 kids took part in the 4th Annual Derrick White Basketball Academy.

“ is is where basketball began for me and where it all started,” said White. “So to have my own camp here to have - kids want to come to camp and have fun, it’s what it’s all about.”

White developed a series of camps with Nothing But Net - Elite Basketball Coaching, a local youth basketball development program run by Marcus Mason, previously a Division 1 coach.

Along with in-depth training, Mason spoke to the campers about the importance of keeping up academically.

“Make sure academics are in line rst, then you go to practice,” said Mason.

During his coaching career, Mason coached over 10 players who have played professional basketball, including White.

White is now NBA All-Defensive second-team with the Boston Celtics.

For four days, kids ages 6 to 10 came for three hours in the morning and kids 11 to 17 in the afternoon to the Parker Fieldhouse to work with quali ed coaches and high school, college and professional athletes.

“I hope they learn something and really just have fun,” said White.

Using the basketball courts, the hockey space and the soccer eld in the eldhouse, kids were split up into groups, each with a coach working on fundamentals.

On the soccer eld, campers were focused on speed and agility while running. In the hockey space, groups focused on defense, dribbling and passing while sportsmanship was being built as games were going on the basketball court. rough the Parker recreation program, Crystal Navarro registered her two sons, 8 and 6, to take part in the camp.

Navarro was thankful for the coaching sta and appreciates their experience and knowledge while her sons liked interacting with the sta .

“ e one on one time that they’re been able to do with Derrick White,” said Navarro. “ e rst hand advice.”

Campers had the opportunity to sit down with White in the new Chalk Talk with DWhite. As the Celtics provided game videos from the season, White walked through plays, talked about footwork and helped the campers get into the mind of the point guard. the camp is watching the kids having around you.”

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