March 28, 2024

Royce White at odds with Rockets over flying

HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets first-round draft pick Royce White says the club has been “inconsistent” in its agreement to help him cope with his anxiety disorder.

The 6-foot-8 White, the 16th overall pick in the 2012 draft, made a deal with the team to travel by bus to some games this season, so he could confront his fear of flying and obsessive compulsive disorder over the long term. He flew with the team to its season opener in Detroit, then traveled by bus to games at Atlanta and Memphis.

He was not with the team for Monday’s home game against Miami and also missed Tuesday’s practice.

White averaged 13.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in his senior season with Iowa State, and was selected 16th in this year’s NBA Draft by the Rockets.