Cavaliers' Kenny Atkinson praises Celtics' Derrick White as 'top 5' player

Atkinson cites White's elite defense and shooting as reasons for the high praise

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson heaped high praise on Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, calling him a "top 5 player in the league" after their recent matchup. Atkinson highlighted White's disruptive defense, elite rim protection, and shooting ability as key factors that make him such a valuable player.

Why it matters

White's emergence as an elite two-way player has been crucial to the Celtics' success this season, as they've remained near the top of the Eastern Conference standings despite an injury to star Jayson Tatum. Atkinson's high praise underscores White's growing reputation around the league as one of the NBA's best all-around guards.

The details

In the Celtics' 109-98 win over the Cavaliers, White played a key role in the victory with his defense and shooting. Atkinson noted White's ability to "really disrupt you defensively" and called him "probably the best guard rim protector in the league." The Celtics coach also highlighted White's elite three-point shooting as a major part of what makes him such a valuable player.

  • The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

The players

Derrick White

A guard for the Boston Celtics who has emerged as an elite two-way player, known for his disruptive defense, rim protection, and three-point shooting.

Kenny Atkinson

The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who praised Derrick White's play after the Celtics' win over the Cavs.

Jayson Tatum

The star forward for the Boston Celtics, who missed time due to injury but has returned to help the team remain near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“[He's] a top five player in the league. That's how we treat him. He really disrupts you defensively, he's an elite rim protector. Probably the best guard rim protector in the league. So just take all those things and put it in there and with the shooting, you got a great player.”

— Kenny Atkinson, Head Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers (Celtics on CLNS on X)

“What probably people aren't measuring is his defensive impact ... analytically I think it's probably proven in various places that he is that player and that's how we treat him.”

— Kenny Atkinson, Head Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers (Celtics on CLNS on X)

What’s next

The Celtics will look to continue their push for the top spot in the Eastern Conference as the regular season winds down.

The takeaway

Derrick White's emergence as an elite two-way player has been crucial to the Celtics' success this season, and his high-level defensive impact and shooting ability have earned him significant praise from opposing coaches like Kenny Atkinson, who views him as one of the top players in the NBA.