HOUSTON -- The relationship between the Houston Rockets and rookie Royce White has become about as unusual as White's relationship to the rest of the world around him.
White on Tuesday released a statement to the public accusing the Rockets of being inconsistent and inconsiderate in accommodating his mental health issues. White, who suffers from anxiety, hasn't played in a game for the Rockets this season and has reportedly missed practices. He was assigned to the Developmental League earlier Tuesday.
"In hindsight, perhaps it was not a good idea to be open and honest about my anxiety disorder due to the current situations at hand that involve the nature of actions from the Houston Rockets," said White, as reported by FOX 26 in Houston. "As a rookie, I want to settle into a team and make progress. But since preseason the Rockets have been inconsistent with their agreement to proactively create a healthy and successful relationship. At this point the Rockets are aware of my position and the reason for my absence. Any other response is inaccurate. This is important to me. It is a health issue. I must advocate for my rights. It is a player-commodity league. The failure to meet my requests for support will end with me being unhealthy and that is not a consequence that I am willing to accept to play any sport."
Hours before White's statement, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey released a statement of his own that at the time seemed apropos of nothing.
"Royce is not available right now," Morey said. "We are committed to his long term success and we will continue to support him now and going forward."
White's anxiety is especially problematic when it comes to crowds and flights, both of which are, of course, a regular part of being a professional basketball player. Before the season White worked out a deal with the Rockets that would allow him to bus to any games that were within reasonable driving distance.
But so far the Rockets haven't had much use for White, who was the No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.
This isn't the first time White has gotten sideways with his team. He began his college career at Minnesota but got suspended after being charged with (and eventually pleading to) theft and disorderly conduct, and transferred to Iowa State. There, he averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists per game.'
White has been outspoken about his anxiety, especially on Twitter, which he used again Tuesday to make some more statements about his statement.
"'your a COMMODITY' and 'we'll support your health needs even if its inconvenient...' just don't go," he wrote. "My health can't afford such an ideal."
