Earlier this week, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was named as an All-Star Game starter for the first time in his career, and now he's trying to bring teammate Derrick White with him when All-Star Game reserves are announced on Feb. 1.

After a 119-104 win against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, Brown showered his teammate with praise and called for his inclusion in the annual event.

Per Zack Cox of the Boston Herald:

“D-White has been a two-way player all year. And I know we live in an era where that doesn't get as much praise or respect, but that contributes to winning a lot. I think Derrick White has been playing at an All-Star level because he plays both sides of the ball. And that's no disrespect to some of those other guys that are maybe in All-Star contention, but it's a clear difference.

"I think Derrick is a first-team All-Defense type of ballot, or maybe even Defensive Player of the Year, but on top of that, he contributes on offense, and that takes a lot more energy, a lot more effort to do night to night. And he's healthy, he's available..."

The 31-year-old White has been an impact player for the Celtics ever since they traded for him in the 2021-22 season, but he's continued to take on bigger responsibilities this year in the wake of Jayson Tatum's injury and offseason trades of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday. 

A nine-year veteran of the San Antonio Spurs and Celtics, White is averaging 17.6 ppg this season while shooting 39.1 percent from the floor and 32.3 percent from three-point range. While his point averages are up, his shooting percentages are actually down, but some of that is likely attributed to his bigger volume of shots this season. He shot 44 percent from the floor a year ago and 38 percent from three. He's attempting three more shots a game in this campaign.

As Brown noted, White is a stellar defender. He has been named Second-Team All-Defense in two of the last three seasons and also has finished in the Top 10 for Defensive Player of the Year in two of the last three. 

He helped the Celtics win the NBA title in 2023-24 as Boston beat the Dallas Mavericks. He helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics as well.

Despite the injuries and the offseason roster maneuvering, Boston is now 27-16 and in second place in the Eastern Conference. Though they are 5.5 games behind first-place Detroit, they appear to be ready to contend again in the East, and there's still the chance that Tatum returns from injury at some point this season.

Boston is 1.5 games ahead of third place New York and Toronto, who are tied.

Feb. 15 in Inglewood, Calif., the home of the Los Angeles Clippers.

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