Cyclones take chance on talented White

AMES - Fred Hoiberg and Iowa State's brass did their homework on Royce White.

They found the Minnesota transfer and alleged trouble­maker - a top national recruit coming out of high school - to be worth the risk. White said Monday he will join ISU's basketball team next season with hopes of playing right away.

ISU is planning to appeal for immediate eligibility for the 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward.

"It was a great move for me and I'm hoping to prove it was a great move for Iowa State," White said Monday during a short teleconference with reporters. "I'm excited."

White was the state of Minnesota's Mr. Basketball as a Hopkins High School senior and signed with the Golden Gophers.

Legal issues got him suspended by midseason and White left the program in February without ever playing a game for Coach Tubby Smith.

Hoiberg saw the opportunity to coach an immense talent in need of a change of scenery. "Everybody was on board with giving Royce a chance," Hoiberg said.

"He's a very engaging kid and a very smart kid. He fully admits to making a mistake. We put a lot of time and effort into this and are excited about having him."

White was disciplined last fall for an incident in which he eventually pleaded guilty to theft and disorderly conduct. He later was charged with trespassing in connection with a stolen laptop computer from a university dorm.

White said he's learned to make smarter decisions and avoid trouble.

'The hurdles that I have overcome have changed me in that I'm very cautious about what I do on a day-to-day basis and I'm very goal oriented,' he said. 'I think about what's my goal and the greatest route to get there.' White would be a major on-floor addition. The Cyclones have just nine scholarship players available for next season.

White was a consensus top-20 recruit coming out and said Monday he picked ISU over Kentucky and Baylor.

"He's a world-class talent," Hoiberg said.

The coach, who was familiar with White while working for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, said White could be ISU's next pro prospect and potential early entrant into the draft.

Craig Brackins left the Cyclones after his junior season and was a firstround pick.

"I think (White) has the type of ability where he will have that decision to make," Hoiberg said.

"We'll see how that plays out. He's got the ability to one day be a high-level NBA player." White said he grew up watching Hoiberg sink 3-pointers with the Timberwolves.

His NBA background - and ISU's proximity to the Twin Cities - was a major selling point.

"I want to be a pro someday," White said.

"That's been my goal since I started playing the game. I think Iowa State is a great platform for that, but I'm not looking too far to the future." White won't enroll at ISU until the start of the fall semester.

It's likely he'll be ruled eligible at the start of the season or not at all, according to ISU officials.

"I think it's a great possibility," White said.

"My case is very strong due to the circumstances that went into it.

Hopefully the NCAA will see it in my favor. If not, I'll be on the sideline being the biggest fan and cheerleader and keeping my game ready."