As the Spurs' first-round pick in the June draft, rookie Derrick White is ticketed for an early season role familiar to most rookies under Popovich.

"There is a spot over there on the bench that is probably going to get polished by the seat of his pants," Popovich said.

A 23-year-old guard, White was an All-Pac 12 selection in his lone season at Colorado.

He logged 10 seconds of garbage-time duty in his professional debut Wednesday.

"His role will be to watch and learn and absorb as much as he can," Popovich said. "He's a great kid, but there's no room at the inn right now."

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN