HOUSTON (AP) — Houston first-round draft pick Royce White is not with the team and says the Rockets have been “inconsistent” in their agreement to help him cope with his anxiety disorder.
The 6-foot-8 White, the 16th overall pick in last year’s draft, made a deal with the team to travel by bus to some games this season, so he could confront with 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 says in a statement that “perhaps it was not a good idea” to open up about his anxiety, “due to the current situations at hand.” The Rockets released a statement on Tuesday night, saying “Royce is not available now” and that they support him going forward.
