ISU's White headed to NBA Draft

AMES - Memo to NBA executives wondering how Royce White's game will immediately translate to the next level:

The one-and-done star Iowa State forward has doubts, too.

White, a first-team all-Big 12 “freight train” as Cyclone coach Fred Hoiberg called him, announced Wednesday his intention to enter the 2012 NBA Draft.

“It's been decided by the people I trust that becoming a professional is probably what's best,” said White, the only player this season to lead his team in points (13.4), rebounds (9.3), assists (5.0), steals (1.1) and blocked shots (0.9). “So I won't be returning next year to Iowa State, but again, thank you to Cyclone nation and everybody who supported me in this journey.”

It's been quite a trip.

White, who saw his pro stock rise significantly after averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds against two future lottery picks in the NCAA tournament, arrived in Ames two years ago after a troubled freshman season at Minnesota.

He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and disorderly conduct charges while a Gopher, then sought a second chance at ISU.

It's paid off without a hint of controversy - for him and the Cyclones, who went 23-11, finished third in the Big 12 and reached the tournament for the first time since 2005.

“My life was not in a great place when I first arrived here two years ago,” said White, whose self-professed ultimate goal is to make enough money to bequeath a lion's share of it to worthy causes. “The basketball thing was one piece, but more so this community - living in this community and seeing how great it is, how well it functions, how much the people do for each other, It really allowed me to reflect and find myself as a man.”

Now the father of one-year-old Royce Alexander II, self-taught musician and budding entrepreneur is found rising up mock draft boards.

Some have him approaching lottery territory.

Others still have him slated for the second round, or beyond.

He doesn't speculate - a wise tack for a guy who's been known to quote Socrates.

“This is really just the start of it,” said White, who Wednesday was in the process of cementing a relationship with an agent. “There's always a chance that I don't make it and that's something I'm willing to live with.”

Beyond White's former legal issues, a fear of flying (media-driven and overblown, Hoiberg said), anxiety disorder (a misunderstood and overly-stigmatized condition, White noted) and lack of a consistent mid- to long-range jumper could give NBA execs pause.

White can't control the former misperceptions.

As for the latter, one sweat-infused approach can't hurt.

“Work,” he said. “A lot of gym work. Getting back in the gym. Getting back to lifting every day. Starting yoga. Doing some different things like that. Really, trying to get my body into shape, the condition it needs to be to make it at the next level.”

Hoiberg said White's ability to see and run the floor sets him apart from most big men.

“As far as skills translating to the next level, what Royce does - the spacing is so much better in that league because of where the 3-point line is,” Hoiberg said. “You get five extra feet of room from spacing and there's not a lot of people that can stay in front of this guy when he's coming down the lane. He's a freight train coming down the court and he showed that, I think, best this past weekend and he showed it all through the course of the season.”

One season.

Countless memories.

A foundation on which to build, not an observatory from which to gloat.

“I'm still under the belief I'm not going to make it, to be honest,” White said. “I like to keep it that way and not get my hopes up. It's something I've dreamed of doing my whole life and I don't want to be disappointed on draft night if my name's not called.”

Hoiberg likes his chances.

A lot.

“From the initial thoughts of the people I talked to that I trust, I made a pretty easy recommendation to him and let him make the choice,” Hoiberg said. “That was the big thing. I wanted to put it in his hands; to gather as much information as possible and then let Royce make that final decision.”

Done.

“As far as what I did this season, it would be tough to top,” White told The Gazette earlier this month. “Just to be honest. It's tough to go out and repeat and do something that great - what's looked at as great - in a college season again.”