White played on the 1968 USA Olympic basketball team in Mexico, which went undefeated (9-0), beating Yugoslavia 65-50 in the title game. After the Olympics, White was drafted in 1969 in the first round by the NBA's Boston Celtics, who at that time had just won their 11th championship in 13 years. He would be the cornerstone of two Celtic championship teams in the 1970s (1973-74 and 1975-76).
White went on to become one of professional basketball's first "iron men", playing in all 82 games for five consecutive seasons during the 1970s. White's skills included great defense, speed, an underrated jump shot, and team leadership.
He was an All-Star for seven straight years from 1971 through 1977, finishing in the top ten in the league in assists from 1973-77. In 1974 and 1976, White helped lead the Celtics to the NBA championship and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1976 NBA Finals.
On Friday, April 9, 1982 his number 10 was hung from the rafters at the Boston Garden. From 1982-1983, White was an assitant coach for the University of Kansas.
Since his retirement, White has been involved in basketball and has been the director of special projects and community relations with the Celtics, while continuing to attend most home games.