Rockets’ Royce White Absent from Camp Due to Fear of Flying
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Nick Laham/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The Houston Rockets are expecting big things from rookie power forward Royce White, but first, he has to report to training camp. White missed the start of camp and wants the team’s permission to travel to some games by bus due to a fear of flying.
Royce says flying magnifies his anxiety disorder. He has asked the Rockets to let him use a bus during the team’s extensive road trips. He’d even buy a bus with his own money to make things easier on the organization. Taking a bus to games is a vital part of treating his anxiety, according to White.
“People with mental illness, one of the most important things is that they have that consistency and routine,” White said. “The girth of (my request) was, ‘Can I travel by bus to close enough games?’ “
White missed the team’s media day on Monday and the start of training camp in McAllen, Texas. He said he hopes to come to an agreement with the team soon and join the team within a week.
The 21-year-old was selected 16th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Iowa State.
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