“He would be exhausted,he’s played over 100 games this season,so I’m sure he’s just looking forward to getting back to Serbia and spending time with his family and his horses,” White said.

“I know that he’s just happy for everyone else. I think the true joy that he gets from us winning the championship is what he’s been able to do for everyone else on the team with his greatness.”

White wasn’t able toplay in the NBA Finals as he was on a two-way contract and was not elevated to the main roster in time for the play-offs,but he continued training with the side and was on the bench with his teammates throughout their play-off run.

The 25-year-old admits he is still processing the emotions of the championship win in his first season in the NBA as it was a career highlight that has come a little over two years afterhe ruptured his Achilles tendon while with Melbourne United.

White worked tirelessly with United’s medical team to rehabilitate from the injury and come back stronger,playing late in the 2021-2022 season,playing for the Australian Boomers last winter and then earning his move to Denver this season.

“It’s absolutely absurd when you think about it – it feels like it was yesterday and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without all the support from everyone at Melbourne United to get back to full health,” White said.

“They got me back from a full Achilles tear in eight-and-a-half months,now I’m feeling great,the body is really good. I have to give a shout out to Nick[Harrison],Steve[McAdam] and Chloe[Manuel] and everyone who helped me through that process,it was during COVID as well,so it was a pretty isolating time.

“To have gone through that,it still feels so recent,makes this even sweeter. To win an NBL title and now and NBA title – you can’t make this up,it’s unreal.”

White also took tremendous joy in seeing some of his veteran teammates win titles,with Ish Smith (an NBA record 13 teams in 13 seasons),Jeff Green (11 teams in 16 seasons) and DeAndre Jordan (seven teams in 15 seasons) win their first titles.

“They are a huge part of our locker room and what makes the culture here so good,” White said.

“They could hardly contain themselves at the end of the game. We’re having timeouts,and they’re sitting on the bench just overcome with emotion.

“That’s the one thing they’ve been after,and I can only imagine the relief,the happiness with all those guys have gone through to finally get that reward. I couldn’t be happier for them.″⁣

White has been trying to pace himself as the team has several days of celebrations leading up to Friday’s parade before exit interviews and then the off-season.

He is also on the extended roster forthe Australian Boomers for the FIBA World Cup in late August, with their selection camp set for the start of August.

“My phone has been blowing up non-stop – I’m trying to get back to everyone but it’s a logistical nightmare,” White said with a laugh.

“I’m grateful to not only the people here during this time but those who were there for me in the darkest of times,during injuries or not playing. My family,close friends and my agent Sammy[Wloszczowski] have been with me every step of the way. I haven’t been home in over 12 months,so I’m looking forward to that and reflecting on everything.”

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