Royce White no show at training camp

[Guy986]

Royce White didn't attend Rockets media day on Monday, or practice on Tuesday, as he deals with ongoing anxiety issues.
White isn't sure when he'll be able to join his new team. "It's not really anything that's going on right now," said White. "It is definitely linked with my anxiety ... Basically what happened was my doctor, we discussed it, and it was decided the way the plan was now just wasn't logistically healthy." His anxiety is exacerbated by a fear of flying, which could be a serious hurdle as the Rockets criss-cross the country to play 41 away games. Oct. 2 - 3:13 pm et

Let me get this right.... you are one of 4 rookies joining a team with a million Powerforward already on the roster and you don't show up to camp. And you don't know when you'll be back?

White is not off to a brilliant start(pun intended). I wish him well and hope he can overcome whatever hurdle he is facing but at the same time i'm preparing for the worst.

[Mr. E]

oy vey...

It doesn't sound like this is going over well with Morey & McHale. Coach won't talk about it other than saying "he should be here," and GM paused before answering "I think...no comment" when asked if the absence was excused.

OK. We knew that there would be issues with this guy, so I'm of the opinion that we need to be patient. We aren't talking about a flake or bad attitude - dude has a legitimate mental illness. I'm not saying that should be a crutch, but it has to be considered.

[Guy986]

oy vey...

It doesn't sound like this is going over well with Morey & McHale. Coach won't talk about it other than saying "he should be here," and GM paused before answering "I think...no comment" when asked if the absence was excused.

OK. We knew that there would be issues with this guy, so I'm of the opinion that we need to be patient. We aren't talking about a flake or bad attitude - dude has a legitimate mental illness. I'm not saying that should be a crutch, but it has to be considered.

I have no problem with White himself considering his known issue with anxiety. I'm more disappointing that he didn't show up since he will be behind everyone when he make his inevitable return.(he will come back right?)

He's already off to a bad start with the coach. I dont think he realize how much this hurts his chance to play. First impression is everything.....

[Zubby]

Wtf are you surprised for? Didnt he say he cries himself to sleep because of his anxiety?
He is probably gonna have that everyday for the rest of his life, some days will be better than others.

Morey/McHale should know better... smh

[rocketsballin]

can someone gimme a quick recap of what happened between him and mchale & morey? i didnt pay much attention to nba stuff during the summer

[Blkbrd671]

idk what the rockets were expecting, they knew his when they drafted him. i bet he was there, but couldn't get himself out to meet all the people. Other piston fans and i are rooting for this kid. tremendous talent

[aznkillabeezZz]

At least this has lowered expectations from him. He might be a bust now. or never play a rocket game because of his anxiety to fly, and social awkwardness.

[Brovva Blaqq]

Dayum. I really wanted this kid to succeed.

[BRIGGS]

Many years ago I had what he had. I had a commute into NY from Fairfield county and it became impossible to do at one point. Not to go into a long story--but he has a fixable problem. It may take time--I wasn't able to function normally for 6 months and the whole thing did effect me for years--but I managed it and actually was symptom free 4-5 years later. At worst I was scared to walk up a flight of stairs and had my wife drop me off at a hospital so I could sit in their cafeteria(and just outside the premise) while she was at work so I wasnt alone and close to a doctor in case was afflicted.(yes true--sounds crazy even posting it) But end of story Royce should be fine--it could take some time and perhaps year 1 he only plays home games and away games he can dive to? I wouldnt castigate him yet.

[Tim Horton]

now you know who not to field in during crunchtime. mi dos centavos.

[spolgar]

This is an unfortunate set back. I hope he gets it together soon. It wouldn't be the first or the last time I rooted for an underdog on an underdog team.

[inquisitive]

i think they can fix him, but the question is, are they going to be patient long enough to do it?

[jazzfan1971]

Must be torture living in this kid's head. Feel bad for him.

[GrapeApe]

Royce White didn't attend Rockets media day on Monday, or practice on Tuesday, as he deals with ongoing anxiety issues.
White isn't sure when he'll be able to join his new team. "It's not really anything that's going on right now," said White. "It is definitely linked with my anxiety ... Basically what happened was my doctor, we discussed it, and it was decided the way the plan was now just wasn't logistically healthy." His anxiety is exacerbated by a fear of flying, which could be a serious hurdle as the Rockets criss-cross the country to play 41 away games. Oct. 2 - 3:13 pm et

Briggs can correct me if I am wrong, but I would think the first thing to do would be to get him a home in the Houston area and get him settled. Once things become more familiar the anxiety should subside.

It sounds like he is aware of and one top of the problem so he might get it fixed sooner than later.

[WhateverBro]

Many years ago I had what he had. I had a commute into NY from Fairfield county and it became impossible to do at one point. Not to go into a long story--but he has a fixable problem. It may take time--I wasn't able to function normally for 6 months and the whole thing did effect me for years--but I managed it and actually was symptom free 4-5 years later. At worst I was scared to walk up a flight of stairs and had my wife drop me off at a hospital so I could sit in their cafeteria(and just outside the premise) while she was at work so I wasnt alone and close to a doctor in case was afflicted.(yes true--sounds crazy even posting it) But end of story Royce should be fine--it could take some time and perhaps year 1 he only plays home games and away games he can dive to? I wouldnt castigate him yet.

You're a hero. I'm going through something similar like this, for two months now. It feels so great to know that this feeling can go away, because I've been having a hard time dealing with it. I'm basically feeling like you felt, I have a very hard time of being alone at the moment but I'm working everyday to try and get stronger.

I really hope Royce White pulls through. He really deserves it and I truly understand what he's going through.

[MaxRider]

"To conquer fear you must become fear."

he's afraid of flying so he needs to fly himself
he needs to borrow the Iron Man suit from Tony Stark
well easiest way just learn how to fly a plane

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Wtf are you surprised for? Didnt he say he cries himself to sleep because of his anxiety?
He is probably gonna have that everyday for the rest of his life, some days will be better than others.

Morey/McHale should know better... smh

Before his draft, a lot of people said DeMarcus Cousins was mentally unstable. There were red flags about him. I didn't think he would have trouble because of the money involved with be a pro. I thought he would be able to keep getting paid. Being ill-tempered or high strung is largely a matter of choice. I thought a lot of what bothered him would be made better in the NBA. He is maturing in a way that hasn't surprised me. I predicted he would be an all star and he is well on the way.

Before Royce White's draft, however, I thought whomever choose him is making a serious mistake. His anxiety disorder is all the more likely to surface over an NBA travel season. His condition requires sensitivity and discretion, but the NBA season is a long grind. Royce White's problems are going to get old, fast.

This really is no surprise. His problems are tragic, and it is worst the Rockets are going to get upset over what they already knew existed.

[Prestige]

Not to be insensitive, but if he can't even show up to training camp what is he going to do when he plays in front of 20,000 fans? Or if its the playoffs and the expectations and pressure are crazy and its really loud?

Is it a thing where he's good one day and bad the next?

[BRIGGS]

I anticipated what Royce would say--that he can do the home games and drive a bus to games that were away. This is not about being a chicken or manning up--but understanding that Royce has what amounts to a faulty breaker in his body--something that starts his fight or flight response. He needs routine and a small amount of specific medication that is closely monitored. This is a process--he first needs to get acclimated to his situation and have a consistent reliable routine. As his routine becomes more and more of a basic daily function--he'll be able to do more and more--however this could be a multi year total fix. Even today I would have big trouble getting in a plane myself(18 years later) I will go on a plane but it would have to be necessary. Royce is a good basketball player--a unique basketball player. Houston had do do their DD here--to understand before they picked--what he has. Don't throw him under the bus--he has mental illness issue that can be managed well and hopefully over time fully regressed. It would show a compassion that many sports teams would never have.

[diablerouge]

there are two distinct issues here:
1- his anxiety, which manifets itself when flying.
2- his negotiating tactic to make sure he gets a bus.

i'm all the way ok with 1 and very understanding of his issues.

but please give me a break on 2! he's not dealing with any anxiety NOW, he's basically telling the rockets "agree to let me ride a bus in writing and i'll show up to camp". i'd fine him.