CASTLE PINES — This summer has taken Derrick White to the NBA Finals and the Olympics — and now, the BMW Championship.

The Boston Celtics guard and Colorado native was on hand for Thursday’s action of the FedEx Cup playoffs tournament. White carried the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, given to the NBA’s champion, down the hole 1 fairway behind Wyndham Clark.

White grew up playing basketball against Clark, who attended Valor Christian High School. They also battled against each other in youth games — so their familiarity with each other spans decades.

“It was a big rivalry,” White said. “Wyndham was good (at basketball).”

White was a key contributor in helping the Celtics win the 2024 NBA Finals, averaging 16.7 points per game during the playoffs. He then competed for Team USA in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“It’s been pretty hectic, but I’m just trying to enjoy it all,” White said.

White planned to attend the tournament to support Clark. But he had no idea that he would accompany the trophy down the opening fairway. It was the latest stop of a trophy tour that has taken the hardware, affectionately dubbed “Larry,” around the country to meet various celebrities, athletes and fans this year.

“When I got here, I saw it and was like, ‘Let me hold that,” White said. “I didn’t know it was going to be here.”

Long before those accomplishments, White attended Legend High School in Parker. He then played at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs before playing for the University of Colorado at Boulder. The Spurs selected White in the 2017 NBA Draft.

White said those humble roots that he and some of his closest friends grew up on have allowed him to progress in the way that he has.

“It’s been awesome,” White said. “With USA basketball, there are people working their way up that I went to class with.

Clark, 30, turned professional in 2017 after playing collegiately at the University of Oregon. He has won three times on the PGA Tour, one being the 2023 U.S. Open.

White admitted that he and Clark weren’t particularly close growing up, but the two met up at the Olympics, where Clark was a part of the four-man team that won a gold medal.

White took a selfie with Clark at the Opening Ceremony, which his father, Richard, posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“He went and did big things, so it was great reconnecting at the Olympics,” White said.

Between those two and San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffery — who also attended Valor Christian — Coloradans have seen great success lately in team and individual settings.

“It’s really neat to see, kind of, Colorado sports coming on the map,” Clark said. “It’s a good thing for Colorado. I feel like the sports are in a good spot here.

Clark finished the day even par and enters the second round tied for 22nd.