Celtics guard Derrick White joins All-Defensive First Team for first time
Derrick White is one of the best shot-blocking guards in the NBA, and the league honored that fact with an All-Defensive First Team selection.
BOSTON — Boston Celtics guard Derrick White had the numbers to back up a strong defensive season. He nearly tallied 100 blocks over the course of the 2025-26 campaign and led all guards in that category. In fact, his 98 blocks were the eighth-most ever recorded by a guard during a single NBA season, per StatMuse .
White now has the accolades to solidify such a spectacular season on the defensive end of the floor, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team on Friday night. The 31-year-old had made two All-Defensive Second Teams in the last three years, yet he'd never qualified for First Team until now. White joins Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, San Antonio Spurs center (and reigning Defensive Player of the Year) Victor Wembanyama, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, and Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson on the honorary team.
Joe Mazzulla spoke highly of Derrick White and his block achievement and despite the fact that Joe was tasked with helping White learn the Celtics’ defense, he takes no credit: “The evolution of his defense has been great. ” “It’s (all) him. ” pic.
twitter. com/hJ0veWYuj2 — Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) January 9, 2026 While White's shot was up-and-down throughout the regular season and playoffs, his defense never wavered for the Celtics. He led the Green Team in swats during the postseason and averaged a career-high 1.