CU taps Derrick White to refresh basketball program
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CU athletic director Fernando Lovo, former Buffs star Derrick White, and head coach Tad Boyle. Photo: CU Athletics
Former University of Colorado star Derrick White is returning to Boulder as the men's basketball program's first president of basketball strategy — while donating $2 million to help reshape the Buffs' future.
Why it matters: CU is betting White's NBA pedigree, fundraising power and stature with recruits can help the program compete in an era dominated by name, image and likeness (NIL), revenue sharing and the transfer portal.
State of play: White will remain an active guard for the Boston Celtics while advising CU on NIL, revenue sharing, roster construction and athlete development.
- He'll also serve as program ambassador and adviser to athletic director Fernando Lovo.
Reality check: Head coach Tad Boyle's program has struggled to keep pace with college basketball's economics.
- Colorado has missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons and went 10-28 in conference play after joining the Big 12.
- 10 scholarship players have left the program this offseason, including star freshman Isaiah Johnson.
- Fan support has also declined, with average home game attendance falling to roughly 6,000 fans per game last season — the lowest during Boyle's tenure.
Between the lines: Boyle, the program's most successful coach, has had trouble retaining talent as NIL and transfer rule changes have upended the recruiting process.
- Money remains a factor. Lovo has floated selling naming rights to the CU Events Center to generate more revenue and compete with big spenders.
"Obviously, it's not all about money, but it is a lot about money in this day and age," White said at a press conference Wednesday. "There are not many rules and regulations around it. It's kind of like two different games. The top of the Big 12 and where we are at."
Zoom out: Colleges have increasingly turned to NBA players to consult, including Steph Curry at Davidson and Trae Young at Oklahoma.
What we're watching: Boyle has hinted his retirement is coming sooner rather than later, which means White may soon become the face of the program.
- "I want to leave Colorado basketball, whenever I'm done, in a much better place than when I found it," Boyle told the Daily Camera. "This is a big step in that direction."