Royce White has taken a long road to The National Basketball
Association. White is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota who was able to
write his own ticket coming out of high school. In 2009, White was
selected as Mr. Basketball for the state of Minnesota. White had
scholarship offers from national powers such as The Michigan State
Spartans. White chose to stay close to home by deciding on The
University of Minnesota under the guidance of Golden Gophers head coach
Tubby Smith.
As a child, White was diagnosed with anxiety disorder. White had a few
mishaps at The University of Minnesota which subsequently led to White
being dismissed from The Golden Gophers basketball team. White’s
discrepancies included him being charged with stealing a laptop on
campus in November 2009. After leaving The University of Minnesota,
White started a new chapter of his basketball career at Iowa State as
member of The Cyclones.
mishaps at The University of Minnesota which subsequently led to White
being dismissed from The Golden Gophers basketball team. White’s
discrepancies included him being charged with stealing a laptop on
campus in November 2009. After leaving The University of Minnesota,
White started a new chapter of his basketball career at Iowa State as
member of The Cyclones.
In his one season in Ames, Iowa, White led The
Cyclones in points (13.4), rebounds (9.3), steals (1.1), blocks (0.9),
and assists (5.0) while leading The Cyclones to the third round of The
NCAA Tournament before losing to the eventual national champions The
Kentucky Wildcats. In the process White was the only player in the
nation to lead his team in all five categories.
Cyclones in points (13.4), rebounds (9.3), steals (1.1), blocks (0.9),
and assists (5.0) while leading The Cyclones to the third round of The
NCAA Tournament before losing to the eventual national champions The
Kentucky Wildcats. In the process White was the only player in the
nation to lead his team in all five categories.
With the 16th overall selection in last June’s NBA
Draft, The Houston Rockets raised some eyebrows by taking White in the
first round. White has top-tier talent, but the questions around White’s
anxiety issues could have possibly scared teams off. Now on the cusp of
The NBA season, White’s anxiety issues have surfaced again. White has a
fear of flying which triggers his anxiety. With the majority of travel
in The NBA done by flying, White and The Rockets have come to an
agreement that will allow White to travel to some games by bus.
Draft, The Houston Rockets raised some eyebrows by taking White in the
first round. White has top-tier talent, but the questions around White’s
anxiety issues could have possibly scared teams off. Now on the cusp of
The NBA season, White’s anxiety issues have surfaced again. White has a
fear of flying which triggers his anxiety. With the majority of travel
in The NBA done by flying, White and The Rockets have come to an
agreement that will allow White to travel to some games by bus.
White is a tremendous talent who is an example of
athletes being a human. To often people put professional athletes on
pedestals as they try to make them immune to personal problems. With
White standing up and accepting his problem, he can be a beacon for
people who suffer from anxiety. It is also a credit to The Rockets
organization to see White’s immense talent and give him a chance. White
needs to be with an organization that shows that they care. It will
still be tough for White because all road trips in The NBA will not
allow bus travel. In December, The Rockets have consecutive road games
against The Toronto Raptors and The New York Knicks on consecutive days.
The average bus ride from Toronto to New York is 10 hours. On Christmas
Day, The Rockets are on the road against The Chicago Bulls. The
following day, Houston is on the road against The Minnesota Timberwolves
followed by a road game against The San Antonio Spurs.
athletes being a human. To often people put professional athletes on
pedestals as they try to make them immune to personal problems. With
White standing up and accepting his problem, he can be a beacon for
people who suffer from anxiety. It is also a credit to The Rockets
organization to see White’s immense talent and give him a chance. White
needs to be with an organization that shows that they care. It will
still be tough for White because all road trips in The NBA will not
allow bus travel. In December, The Rockets have consecutive road games
against The Toronto Raptors and The New York Knicks on consecutive days.
The average bus ride from Toronto to New York is 10 hours. On Christmas
Day, The Rockets are on the road against The Chicago Bulls. The
following day, Houston is on the road against The Minnesota Timberwolves
followed by a road game against The San Antonio Spurs.
The 82-game schedule of The NBA can become tough especially on
rookies, not to mention that NBA commissioner David Stern loves to
schedule games in Europe. White won’t have the luxury of traveling
around the country in “The Madden Cruiser” like former National Football
League commentator John Madden to all of his games. Madden had a fear
of flying, but with NFL games only being once a week, it was easier to
get around the country on a bus. Traveling by bus could potentially
prevent White from some practices during the season as he already missed
the start of training camp as he and The Rockets had to come to a
compromise about his travel.
rookies, not to mention that NBA commissioner David Stern loves to
schedule games in Europe. White won’t have the luxury of traveling
around the country in “The Madden Cruiser” like former National Football
League commentator John Madden to all of his games. Madden had a fear
of flying, but with NFL games only being once a week, it was easier to
get around the country on a bus. Traveling by bus could potentially
prevent White from some practices during the season as he already missed
the start of training camp as he and The Rockets had to come to a
compromise about his travel.
Rockets head coach Kevin McHale and general manager Daryl Morey
took a chance on White and only time will tell if if works out for
everyone involved. The main thing that has to be practiced by The
Rockets is patience.
took a chance on White and only time will tell if if works out for
everyone involved. The main thing that has to be practiced by The
Rockets is patience.
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