Many NBA prospects look forward to the jet-setting lifestyle that comes with being an NBA player, but Rockets rookie Royce White was not one of them. White, the 16th overall pick in last summer’s NBA draft, has not played a game for Houston this season because of an anxiety disorder that makes air travel difficult for him.
White, who the Rockets suspended on January 6 for failure to perform his contract, will be featured on HBO’s Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel on Tuesday, January 22, at 10:00 P.M. ET. The interview with HBO will be the first television interview that White has granted since his formal suspension. White is expected to speak about the details of his disorder and what he thinks needs to be done in order for him to finally begin his NBA career.
We hear more and more about the mental health issues that pro athletes face after their retirements, but let’s hope White’s interview sparks more meaningful conversation about how to help pro athletes cope with the mental health issues they face while they are still active players.