Whats the story with Royce?

**CarlHungus** · 03-12-2012, 04:23 PM

Ive heard that the reason he is here is because he didn't board a plane to Kentucky. Whats the story behind this? Was he on his way to sign his LOI or just to visit? Change of heart at the last minute?

**ISUAgronomist** · 03-12-2012, 04:25 PM

Anxiety attack about flying was a major issue.

Kentucky's head coach called the prep star from the Twin Cities one night and asked him to come to Lexington the next day to officially sign with the program. But White's fear of flying, coupled with his anxiety disorder, ultimately triggered a panic attack.

"I was on my way to Kentucky," White said. "Anxiety set in. It hurt me so bad because I have so much respect for Coach Calipari and Kentucky basketball. I almost came to tears because my anxiety had let me down in that situation."

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...ege-basketball

**3TrueFans** · 03-12-2012, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by CarlHungus

Ive heard that the reason he is here is because he didn't board a plane to Kentucky. Whats the story behind this? Was he on his way to sign his LOI or just to visit? Change of heart at the last minute?

Iowa State's Royce White and the battle within -- college basketball - ESPN

Kentucky's head coach called the prep star from the Twin Cities one night and asked him to come to Lexington the next day to officially sign with the program. But White's fear of flying, coupled with his anxiety disorder, ultimately triggered a panic attack.
His heart thumped as he thought about sitting on the airplane alone. He could barely breathe as fear gripped him. The episode, stemming from a condition that's severe enough to consistently interfere with the daily lives of people who have it, sapped his strength and left him in emotional ruin.
He called his mother and told her to cancel the trip on his behalf. On that day, White's anxiety seemed stronger than any defender he'd ever faced on the basketball court.
"I was on my way to Kentucky," White said. "Anxiety set in. It hurt me so bad because I have so much respect for Coach Calipari and Kentucky basketball. I almost came to tears because my anxiety had let me down in that situation."

**ISU_phoria** · 03-12-2012, 04:37 PM

Does he struggle with flights to road games? (serious question)

**cstrunk** · 03-12-2012, 04:38 PM

Wow, that's an interesting story line that I don't remember hearing about. It will probably be discussed if we beat UConn.

**marothisu** · 03-12-2012, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by ISU_phoria

Does he struggle with flights to road games? (serious question)

From what I remember reading, he had the attack because he was going to be traveling alone. So by that same token, I think that because he travels with his teammates and coaches, it's probably not nearly as bad and OK.

**ISUCyclones2015** · 03-12-2012, 04:50 PM

Someone actually asked him that question on CyRide when that story came out. He said teammates calm him down if it gets bad but if its late at night and everyone is quiet his noise cancelling headphones are a tremendous help

**Chizit** · 03-12-2012, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by ISU_phoria

Does he struggle with flights to road games? (serious question)

Yes. There was a Rag story about his disorder a little bit ago. He said he asks the flight attendant 10+ times every flight if everything was alright, if a certain sound was something bad, etc.

**kberyldial** · 03-12-2012, 05:18 PM

Man that's too bad. Imagine what every free throw must seem like to him. All eyes on you - let alone on the road when he's being harassed. I have alot of respect for the kid. This could turn out to be such a good story if we play well. I hope he finds a good place and leads us to some victories. I've heard alot about our 3 point shooting being the difference between winning and losing but it all starts with Royce. He is the catalyst for everything that we do well.

**JustRedman** · 03-12-2012, 07:10 PM

Stories like this make me like Royce more and more. Don't know why...it just does.

**Me State** · 03-12-2012, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by JustRedman

Stories like this make me like Royce more and more. Don't know why...it just does.

It proves he is human and works hard to achieve his success.

**heitclone** · 03-12-2012, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by JustRedman

Stories like this make me like Royce more and more. Don't know why...it just does.

I'm with ya, this guy is one of the most unassuming star athletes I can remember.

**besserheimerphat** · 03-12-2012, 07:37 PM

I remember that Jake Sullivan suffered from OCD, but he just seemed more arrogant than Royce does. More difficult to like as a person. Royce seems to be more humble and personable. Note that I am saying this based strictly on interviews, and I have never had a real life interaction with either of them.

**majorcyfan** · 03-12-2012, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by CarlHungus

Ive heard that the reason he is here is because he didn't board a plane to Kentucky. Whats the story behind this? Was he on his way to sign his LOI or just to visit? Change of heart at the last minute?

Get ahold of the sports section of the DM RAG from Feb 21, 2012......Front page 2-page story of Royce White entitled ANXIETY & AMBITION BY Randy Peterson. A really good job of reporting on Royce. Try ISU library or Ames Public library or any library that carries the DM RAG.