Celtics

Derrick White blocks potential game-winner, Team USA survives South Sudan at showcase

Team USA trailed South Sudan for the majority of Saturday's exhibition.

By Colin McCarthy

July 20, 2024

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Team USA basketball struggled to perform against South Sudan in Saturday’s showcase game, trailing by double-digits against the massive underdogs for large chunks of the first three quarters.

Eventually, Team USA worked its way back into the lead, but nearly lost in the closing seconds. Fortunately for the loaded roster, Derrick White was crashing the rim defensively.

White was in the right place at the right time — as he often is — on South Sudan’s final possession. South Sudan missed its initial shot attempt but collected an offensive rebound at the rim and went back up with it. White knocked the ball loose on the put-back and Team USA squeaked by with a 101-100 win.

Here’s a better angle of the block:

Jrue Holiday was also an important piece of that final possession, playing on-ball defense prior to the initial shot attempt by South Sudan. If Celtics fans missed watching the Holiday-White duo play defense together, they were treated to quite the ending on Saturday.

White was a late addition to Team USA following Kawhii Leonard’s departure after training camp. He didn’t play at all in the first half on Saturday, but still had the best plus-minus of any bench player, led Team USA in second-half assists, and was trusted to be on the floor in the closing stages.

Team USA will have two more showcase exhibitions, both against Germany, before the 2024 Olympic Games.