White says he's ready to return, will play for Rio Grande in D-League
BY CHRIS SHERMAN Associated Press
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
2/13/13 at 5:21 AM
HIDALGO, Texas - Royce White says he is ready to focus on basketball.
The 16th overall pick last summer, White scored seven points, grabbed eight rebounds and had four assists for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in Tuesday's 139-122 win over Maine, one day after reporting to the Houston Rockets' developmental league affiliate.
He had been away from the Rockets since early November after requesting an arrangement to help him properly treat his diagnosed anxiety disorder while balancing the demands of the NBA schedule.
"It was tough not being able to play, but it was necessary," White said. "I feel like I've been right on the verge of coming back the whole time. I've kind of been just waiting right on the edge of my seat to come back."
The Rockets chose White in the first round after one season at Iowa State, where he led the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
White missed the first week of training camp after sensing that his mental illness would become more difficult to manage if he didn't ask for certain conditions. He and the team agreed to allow him to travel by bus to some games while he confronted his fear of flying and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
He refused an assignment to the D-League in late December, and was suspended without pay on Jan. 6. White and the Rockets reached an agreement on Jan. 26, and he was reinstated.
Original Print Headline: Royce White says he's ready to play
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