Derrick White had a front-row seat to witness Steph Curry’s brilliance in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team USA managing director Grant Hill selected White to replace Kawhi Leonard in the tournament. The combo guard, who played a key role in the Boston Celtics’ championship run, joined a star-studded crew in the competition.

White was on the bench when Curry’s fourth-quarter flurry of 3-pointers against the French pushed the Americans to the gold medal. He had this to say about the impact of the two-time MVP’s barrage of 3-pointers late in the matchup against the host team:

“Steph [Curry] hits a couple of 3s in a row and it’s kind of like the other team kind of just forgets how to play basketball a little bit. I was joking around and I was like, ‘Steph hit that last 3 and just running around in circles and not even playing defense.’”

The Golden State Warriors franchise cornerstone had 12 points entering the fourth quarter against France. He didn’t attempt his first shot until 4:26 remained in the period. Curry’s initial sequence didn’t seem promising — he missed a 24-footer, committed a turnover and missed an open jumper.

After Victor Wembanyama’s tip-in cut the French deficit to 82-79 with 2:58 to play, Steph Curry drained a triple before Kevin Durant scored two free throws to give the Americans breathing room. Curry then buried three more triples to quell France’s late charge. His last 3-pointer with 35 seconds left was the final nail in the hosts’ coffin.

When Steph Curry poulled off his trademark “Night, Night” move, Derrick White and Team USA jumped off the bench. The Americans defended their Olympic gold behind clutch shooting from the NBA’s all-time career 3-point leader.

Derrick White raves about Steph Curry’s work ethic and clutch game

Derrick White recognizes Steph Curry as one of the most skilled players he has ever played against. The Boston Celtics guard raved about Curry’s impact when his team lost to the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals. Curry put on a show in Game 4 when many thought Boston would take a 3-1 series lead. Instead, the Dubs won the matchup 107-97 and lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy two games later.

After playing with Curry in the Olympics, White had this to say about what makes the two-time MVP stand out besides his talent:

“The way he carries himself. I mean, just the consistency from day in and day out. The work he puts in and then in the big stages, big moments, he wants the ball. He wants that challenge and he definitely rises to the occasion.”

This season, White got another close look at what Curry could do after the Celtics lost 118-112 to the Dubs on Wednesday.