Royce White explains absence
White will not join the franchise at training camp until he has "something in writing" that addresses the team's plan to treat his anxiety disorder and OCD, according to his publicist, California-based China Myers.
"There are often negative consequences to mental illness when not given the proper support," said White, according to a statement released through Myers. "Often, those consequences are more severe for the surrounding people than the sufferer him/herself. I am not willing to allow those consequences to befall on myself or others close to me.
"It causes me anxiety to know that serious consequences could happen if I do not express what I deal with, or if I am not truthful enough to ask for what I need to be healthy. For me, hiding is no longer a healthy option in treating my anxiety or OCD, so I have asked for some help from the organization to ensure long-term health for myself."
I hate to say this, because Royce is one of my favorite Cyclones ever, and I love the way he's gone public and told his story. But I think this is being mismanaged. I'm stumped why this couldn't be addressed in the three-plus months since draft day. And how, despite his quote that he isn't blaming the Rockets, this really reads like it's putting the onus on the Rockets to fix this.
I think Royce has generated a lot of patience and goodwill with his actions, but I feel like this could spark a backlash and hurt him as much as it helps. However pure and honest his intentions, it comes off as making demands and that's not good for a rookie who has yet to show up for camp.
White will not join the franchise at training camp until he has "something in writing" that addresses the team's plan to treat his anxiety disorder and OCD, according to his publicist, California-based China Myers.
"There are often negative consequences to mental illness when not given the proper support," said White, according to a statement released through Myers. "Often, those consequences are more severe for the surrounding people than the sufferer him/herself. I am not willing to allow those consequences to befall on myself or others close to me.
"It causes me anxiety to know that serious consequences could happen if I do not express what I deal with, or if I am not truthful enough to ask for what I need to be healthy. For me, hiding is no longer a healthy option in treating my anxiety or OCD, so I have asked for some help from the organization to ensure long-term health for myself."
I hate to say this, because Royce is one of my favorite Cyclones ever, and I love the way he's gone public and told his story. But I think this is being mismanaged. I'm stumped why this couldn't be addressed in the three-plus months since draft day. And how, despite his quote that he isn't blaming the Rockets, this really reads like it's putting the onus on the Rockets to fix this.
I think Royce has generated a lot of patience and goodwill with his actions, but I feel like this could spark a backlash and hurt him as much as it helps. However pure and honest his intentions, it comes off as making demands and that's not good for a rookie who has yet to show up for camp.