Royce White says he is ready to walk away from NBA if his issues are not addressed by Houston Rockets – NBA News
Royce White knew that his journey in the NBA was not going to be an easy one, much more difficult than all the other rookies who were drafted this year in the Draft. And White is now facing another obstacle in his path to success in the league as he has reached a standoff with the Houston Rockets over the way they are handling his medical condition, and has recently said in an interview that he is willing to walk away from the league if the dispute is not settled.
White was picked up by the Houston Rockets with their 16th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, knowing that he has an anxiety disorder and fear of flying airplanes. He had a standoff with the team before the start of the season when he asked them to allow him to travel by bus for games closer to the Rockets home in Houston. And now, it seems that he is again involved in a standoff with the team. He has said that he will be meeting with Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey on Monday to discuss the issue.
“I'd rather tell them on the front end and be honest and transparent and never play again for that than allow me to become one of the stories because I wasn't able to communicate," said White in a recent interview with Colleen Dominguez of ESPN.
White has not played in the Rockets three games this week, and also missed a number of practices. The Rockets have said that they intend to fine White for every game and practice he misses, as well as therapist sessions arranged by the team.
"We are committed to his long-term success and we will continue to support him now and going forward," said the team in a new release.
On the other end, the Harlem Globetrotters have offered the rookie with an opportunity of playing with them, coming out in support of the player.
"I have watched from afar an incredibly gifted basketball player who has struggled off the court with a fear of flying. I just want him to know the Globetrotters offer another option to play professional basketball without a rigorous flying schedule,” said Globetrotters coach and director of player personnel "Sweet" Lou Dunbar in a news release.
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