MELBOURNE (Australia) - One of the great stories that's come out of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers is the ascension of Derrick White.

With one more cut to be made, White is poised to be the only USA player who was part of the World Cup qualifying effort that got them to China. He suited up for Team USA during the September 2018 window for Second Round games at home against Uruguay and on the road at Panama.

He started both games, a 114-57 win over Uruguay and a 78-48 defeat of Panama, averaging 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals.

Originally called into camp in Las Vegas to play with the U.S. Select Team against those invited to vie for a national team spot, the point guard’s play saw him being moved from one side of the boxscore to the other.

Speaking from the training camp when White, 25, was playing for the Select Team, Jeff Van Gundy, who led the American qualifying campaign, explained why he was moving to the national team side. "Yesterday, without question, he was the best player on the floor for either team, and today, he was really good again."

In the USA Blue-USA White exhibition game on August 9, White's stat line was an impressive 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and a game-high 8 assists in just under 25 minutes of action.

By the time the team moved camp to Los Angeles, White was promoted.

"When I was with the Select Team," said White. "I was just trying to showcase what I could do and help the team get better. Moving over to the senior team has been a pretty crazy thing."

It can't hurt that the head coach for the USA, Gregg Popovich, is also White's boss with the San Antonio Spurs. Pop, as he is known throughout the basketball world, has been on the front row for White's growth as a professional.

"I guess it is an advantage," White said. "I'm new to the team, but I probably still know (Popovich's style) better than everybody else. Just being familiar with the system and the terminology, you know, a little bit can go a long way."

Derrick White against Uruguay in the Qualifiers

When White suited up for USA in the Americas Qualifiers, few could have imagined him being on the brink of making the World Cup roster just a year later. And his experience with USA Basketball has surely contributed to his incredible rise.

Two years ago, White played 17 NBA games 8.2 minutes, 3.2 points and 1.5 rebounds a game.

Last year, he started 55 of the 67 games aplayed in, averaging 9.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.

As for his role on this team where he would back up Kemba Walker in the point guard slot, White said it is, "to compete defensively, to try and set the tone, and offensively just make the right plays."

Simply put, he added: "Whatever it takes to help us win."

"It'd be amazing," White said of potentially making the final cut. "I mean, special to be a part of a team that's going to chase for a title. For me to dream of stuff like this, especially to wear those three letters for a game."

He was successful with it in the Qualifiers. Perhaps he will be again.

FIBA