Royce White ready to 'fight'

WEST DES MOINES - Intriguing.

Unconventional.

Risky.

Those are just a few words deployed by NBA analysts to describe former Iowa State hoops standout Royce White and his next-level prospects.

But White - the big man with point guard skills who led the Cyclones in scoring, rebounding and assists last season -settles on a natural one to paint a picture of the pre-Draft process.

The Draft begins at 6 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.

“Anxious is definitely the word,” the 6-8, 270-pounder said Wednesday after recording a triple-double (14 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in a YMCA Capital City League game at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School. “I'm very anxious about the whole thing. Not so much about where I go, but where I land; what city it's going to be, what kind of system, what the organizations going to be like. You always need to have the right situation to have the best career possible.”

To NBA executives, take-offs matter as much as landings.

White said his anxiety disorder is question number one in pre-Draft interviews.

It's a personal health issue he's not only addressed publicly in the past, but championed as a cause to raise awareness and dispel myths about mental illness in general.

“The only thing they really stress about it is the fear of flying thing, which doesn't directly correlate to my anxiety, per se, but that's kind of what they're interested (in),” White said.

The 21-year-old father of one flew nearly all of last season.

One place he hasn't glided is under the radar.

“Sky's the limit,” former Cyclone and NBA free agent Craig Brackins said of White. “He's big. He's got the body. He's got the handles. If he gets a jump shot - a better jump shot, he can shoot a little bit - he's going to be trouble.”

White's projected by most to be a first-round pick.

ESPN analyst Chad Ford recently reported the Boston Celtics will likely take him with the 21st selection.

White, who averaged 13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and five assists last season, said he's ready for what might be a waiting game.

He'll host a Draft party to benefit a central Iowa non-profit organization - Orchard Place, which helps children and youth with mental health and behavioral challenges.

“Just hoping for the best,” White said of the Draft. “My main goal is to raise as much money as possible.”

As for the “fear of flying thing,” he trusts the experts are well aware he strapped in for a lot of flights last season.

“If they don't know that much it might be the wrong league for me,” White said with a sly smile. “I might need to join the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).”

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