{{short description|American basketball player (born 1998)}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Derek Culver | image = | caption = | position = Center | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 10 | weight_lb = 255 | league = | team = Free agent | number = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|5|24}} | birth_place = Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. | high_school = * Warren G. Harding<br>(Warren, Ohio) * Brewster Academy<br>(Wolfeboro, New Hampshire) | college = West Virginia (2018–2021) | draft_year = 2021 | career_start = 2021 | years1 = 2021 | team1 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants | years2 = 2021–2022 | team2 = Wisconsin Herd | years3 = 2022 | team3 = Delaware Blue Coats | years4 = 2023 | team4 = Mexico City Capitanes | years5 = 2023 | team5 = Lakeland Magic | years6 = 2023 | team6 = Delaware Blue Coats | years7 = 2024 | team7 = Rayos de Hermosillo | years8 = 2024 | team8 = Spartak Pleven | years9 = 2024–2025 | team9 = Anorthosis Ammochostou | years10 = 2025 | team10 = Suwon KT Sonicboom | highlights = * NBA G League champion (2023) * First-team All-Big 12 (2021) * Second-team All-Big 12 (2019) * Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2019) }} '''Derek Culver''' (born May 24, 1998) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Suwon KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). He played college basketball for the West Virginia Mountaineers.
==Early life== Culver grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, which he called "a violent place, there’s really not a lot going on there." He attended Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio and was coached by Andy Vlajkovich.<ref name="nespor">{{cite web |last1=Nespor |first1=Cody |title=WVU's Derek Culver Has Grown from Youngstown Roots |url=https://wvsportsnow.com/wvus-derek-culver-has-grown-from-youngstown-roots/ |website=WV Sports Now |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=December 17, 2019}}</ref> As a junior, he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, leading his team to a Division I district title and the regional semifinals. Culver was dismissed from the team midway through his senior season for undisclosed reasons.<ref name="baniecki">{{cite web |last1=Baniecki |first1=Jory |title=Warren Harding's Derek Culver removed from team, out for season |url=https://www.wytv.com/sports/warren-hardings-derek-culver-removed-from-team-out-for-season/ |publisher=WYTV |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=January 21, 2017}}</ref> He played a postgraduate year at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.<ref>{{cite web |title=WVU hoops prospect Derek Culver heading to Brewster Academy |url=https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/wvu-hoops-prospect-derek-culver-heading-to-brewster-academy/article_4ea7cd0a-173c-5a4a-a11e-801044cade7a.html |website=Charleston Gazette-Mail |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=August 26, 2017}}</ref> Culver averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds per game and earned First Team New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AAA selection. He led his team to the NEPSAC Class AAA regular season title.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |title=Derek Culver |url=https://wvusports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derek-culver/14088 |publisher=West Virginia University Athletics |accessdate=September 21, 2020}}</ref> A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to play college basketball for West Virginia over offers from Arizona, Kansas and Indiana, among others.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Dustin |title=WVU Basketball Picks Up Commitment From Four Star Forward Derek Culver |url=https://www.smokingmusket.com/2016/8/2/12346880/wvu-basketball-picks-up-commitment-from-four-star-forward-derek-culver |publisher=The Smoking Musket |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=August 2, 2016}}</ref>
==College career== Before playing for West Virginia, Culver was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. He was reinstated after about one month.<ref name="vargo">{{cite web |last1=Vargo |first1=John |title=Culver starting to come into his own for WVU |url=https://www.vindy.com/sports/local-sports/2019/12/culver-starting-to-come-into-his-own-for-wvu/ |website=The Vindicator |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=December 23, 2019}}</ref> On February 4, 2019, Culver recorded a freshman season-high 23 points and 12 rebounds in an 81–50 loss to Texas Tech.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Antonik |first1=John |title=Culver Nets 23 in a Road Loss at Texas Tech |url=https://wvusports.com/news/2019/2/5/mens-basketball-red-raiders-too-much-for-west-virginia-on-monday-night.aspx |publisher=West Virginia University Athletics |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=February 5, 2019}}</ref> On February 26, he posted 22 points and 21 rebounds in a 104–96 triple overtime win over TCU.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Virginia upsets TCU 104-96 in 3OT thriller |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401083471 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=February 26, 2019}}</ref> He became the first West Virginia player to record at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game since Mo Robinson in 1977.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Sean |title=Mountaineer Freshman Duo Comes Up Big in Triple OT Thriller, Places TCU Squarely on the Bubble |url=https://mountaineersports.com/mountaineer-freshman-duo-comes-up-big-in-triple-ot-thriller-places-tcu-squarely-on-the-bubble/ |publisher=Mountaineer Sports |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=February 26, 2019}}</ref> As a freshman, Culver averaged 11.5 points and a team-high 9.9 rebounds, leading the Big 12 in rebounding during conference play. He was named to the Second Team All-Big 12 and was a unanimous Big 12 All-Freshman Team selection.<ref name=bio/>
Entering his sophomore season, Culver was among 20 players named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watch list.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Messerly |first1=Bryan |title=Culver Named to Kareem Abdul Jabbar Award Watch List |url=https://wvusports.com/news/2019/10/18/mens-basketball-culver-named-to-kareem-abdul-jabbar-award-watch-list.aspx |publisher=West Virginia University Athletics |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> On December 1, 2019, he tallied a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in an 86–81 victory over Rhode Island.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Digby |first1=Matthew |title=Culver dominates as WVU beats Rhode Island |url=https://www.thedaonline.com/sports/culver-dominates-as-wvu-beats-rhode-island/article_b7f5cd76-14ae-11ea-9bd0-a3fdae4cbde6.html |website=The Daily Athenaeum |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=December 1, 2019}}</ref> Culver was often tasked with defending smaller players and was sometimes benched in favor of a smaller lineup.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bragg |first1=Tom |title=Bob Huggins helps mold Derek Culver's game for the next level |url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/bob-huggins-helps-mold-derek-culvers-game-for-the-next-level/article_2ee5f63c-3ed8-5ead-b777-f7871244ccfc.html |website=The Herald-Dispatch |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=February 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nespor |first1=Cody |title=Starting or sitting, Derek Culver just wants to win |url=https://www.thedaonline.com/sports/mens_basketball/starting-or-sitting-derek-culver-just-wants-to-win/article_0eeacffa-5348-11ea-a3bf-4ffdf2d6f51a.html |website=The Daily Athenaeum |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> As a sophomore, he averaged 10.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and was named to the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.<ref name=bio/>
Culver began his junior season by leading the Mountaineers to the Crossover Classic Championship. Culver averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game and was named MVP of the tournament. He finished his college career with 1,036 points and 799 rebounds.
On April 26, 2021, Athletes Sports Management announced that it had signed Culver, and the agency's president also said that he would not be returning to West Virginia for another season. Culver denied this on Instagram, and a spokesperson for the school said that he has not told the Mountaineers he was leaving. Later that day, Culver clarified all of the confusion and officially announced that he would forego his senior year and explore professional options.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Chris |title=Derek Culver addresses Monday's news, makes final decision on future |url=https://247sports.com/college/west-virginia/Article/Derek-Culver-addresses-Mondays-news-makes-final-decision-on-future-164711902/ |website=247Sports |accessdate=April 27, 2021 |date=April 26, 2021}}</ref> Culver went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft.
==Professional career== ===Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021)=== On October 15, 2021, Culver signed with the Indiana Pacers, but was waived the following day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Luke |title=Pacers Release Three Players |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/10/pacers-release-three-players.html |website=HoopsRumors |access-date=October 17, 2021 |date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> He joined the Fort Wayne Mad Ants as an affiliate player.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Justin |title=North Side grad on Mad Ants' roster |url=https://www.journalgazette.net/blog/mad-antics/20211024/north-side-grad-on-mad-ants-roster |access-date=October 24, 2021 |work=The Journal Gazette |date=October 24, 2021}}</ref> On November 2, Culver was waived before the season opener.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohn |first1=Justin |title=Ants waive North Side grad Crews, 3 others |url=https://www.journalgazette.net/blog/mad-antics/20211102/ants-waive-north-side-grad-crews-3-others?fr=operanews |access-date=January 6, 2022 |work=The Journal Gazette |date=November 2, 2021}}</ref>
===Wisconsin Herd (2021–2022)=== On December 18, 2021, Culver was acquired by the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G League. He was later waived on January 5, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2021-22 NBA G League transactions|date=January 5, 2022|access-date=January 5, 2022}}</ref>
===Delaware Blue Coats (2022)=== On November 4, 2022, Culver was named to the opening night roster for the Delaware Blue Coats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/blue-coats-announce-opening-night-roster/n-5895485|title=Blue Coats Announce Opening Night Roster|website=oursportscentral.com|date=November 3, 2022|access-date=November 3, 2022}}</ref> However, he was waived on December 3.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2022-2023 Delaware Blue Coats Transactions History|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/dleague/teams/Delaware-Blue-Coats/57/Transaction_History/2023|website=RealGM.com|access-date=December 7, 2022}}</ref>
===Mexico City Capitanes (2023)=== On January 4, 2023, Culver was acquired by the Mexico City Capitanes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=January 4, 2023|access-date=January 4, 2023}}</ref> On February 14, 2023, Culver was waived.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=February 14, 2023|access-date=February 14, 2023}}</ref> Four days later, he was acquired by the South Bay Lakers, but was waived five days later before playing for South Bay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=February 18, 2023|access-date=February 18, 2023}}</ref>
===Lakeland Magic (2023)=== On February 25, 2023, Culver was acquired by the Lakeland Magic. Two days later, he was waived, after appearing in one game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=February 27, 2023|access-date=February 27, 2023}}</ref>
===Return to Delaware (2023)=== On March 4, 2023, Culver was reacquired by the Delaware Blue Coats,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|date=March 4, 2023|access-date=March 4, 2023}}</ref> and eventually helped the team win the NBA G League title.<ref>{{cite web|first=Noah|last=Levick|title=Delaware Blue Coats win G League championship; Jaden Springer named Finals MVP|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/sixers/delaware-blue-coats-nba-g-league-championship-2023-jaden-springer-mac-mcclung|website=NBCSports.com|date=April 7, 2023|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> On October 29, he re-joined the Blue Coats,<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Delaware Blue Coats|title=time for camp.🏕️ #GetYourCoatsOn|number=1718729617358418138|user=blue_coats|date=October 29, 2023|access-date=January 1, 2024}}</ref> but was waived on December 27.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Delaware Blue Coats|title=OFFICIAL: The Blue Coats have signed Javonte Smart and activated two-way player Kenneth Lofton Jr. In a related move, the team has waived Derek Culver.|number=1740138876260262170|user=blue_coats|date=December 27, 2023|access-date=January 1, 2024}}</ref>
===Rayos de Hermosillo (2024)=== Culver joined the Rayos de Hermosillo of the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA) ahead of the 2024 CIBACOPA season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elimparcial.com/deporte/2024/02/23/presentan-rayos-de-hermosillo-su-plantel-para-el-cibacopa-2024/|title=Presentan Rayos de Hermosillo su plantel para el Cibacopa 2024|first=Kevin|last=González|work=El Imparcial|date=22 February 2024|access-date=22 February 2024|language=es}}</ref>
===Suwon KT Sonicboom (2025)=== On March 26, 2025, Culver signed with the Suwon KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League, replacing Jarell Martin.<ref>{{cite web |title=KT, 일시 대체 외국선수로 1998년생 208cm 센터 컬버 합류…"다음 달 3일 출전 목표" |url=https://jumpball.co.kr/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065597771813690 |website=점프볼 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |date=March 26, 2025}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{NBA player statistics legend}}
===College=== {{NBA player statistics start}} |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19 | style="text-align:left;"| West Virginia | 26 || 14 || '''27.0''' || .456 || .000 || .585 || '''9.9''' || '''1.7''' || .5 || .7 || 11.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20 | style="text-align:left;"| West Virginia | '''31''' || 25 || 24.5 || .457 || .000 || .517 || 8.6 || '''1.7''' || '''.8''' || '''.8''' || 10.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21 | style="text-align:left;"| West Virginia | 29 || '''28''' || 26.3 || '''.478''' || — || '''.624''' || 9.4 || 1.1 || '''.8''' || '''.8''' || '''14.3''' |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career || 86 || 67 || 25.9 || .465 || .000 || .576 || 9.3 || 1.5 || .7 || .8 || 12.0 {{S-end}}
==Personal life== Culver's cousin Lynn Bowden played quarterback and wide receiver at Kentucky and was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders and then traded to the Miami Dolphins where he has been used primarily as a wide receiver along with the ability to be used as a "utility player" as well.<ref name="nespor" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://wvusports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derek-culver/14088 West Virginia Mountaineers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Culver, Derek}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American expatriate basketball people in Bulgaria Category:American expatriate basketball people in Cyprus Category:American expatriate basketball people in Mexico Category:American expatriate basketball people in South Korea Category:American men's basketball players Category:Anorthosis Famagusta BC players Category:Basketball players from Youngstown, Ohio Category:BC Spartak Pleven players Category:Brewster Academy alumni Category:Centers (basketball) Category:Delaware Blue Coats players Category:Fort Wayne Mad Ants players Category:Lakeland Magic players Category:Mexico City Capitanes players Category:Rayos de Hermosillo players Category:Sportspeople from Warren, Ohio Category:Suwon KT Sonicboom players Category:Warren G. Harding High School alumni Category:West Virginia Mountaineers men's basketball players Category:Wisconsin Herd players