Royce White Won’t Fly for Philadelphia Sixers Games

He may be on headed to a different city now, but the Royce White’s problems remain the same — the man refuses to take flights, due to his anxiety disorder. White says he doesn’t know what, if anything, the Sixers can do about this predicament. Per the Des Moines Register: “Royce White is ready to play in the NBA – probably for the Philadelphia 76ers, once the trade from Houston becomes official. But making 100 plane flights during a season? ‘Hell no,’ the former Iowa State basketball star said after playing for the Walnut Creek YMCA Wednesday night in the YMCA Capital City League at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School. ‘One hundred flights would be like if you’re allergic to peanut butter – it’d be like spreading your whole body with it.’ He doesn’t know how the 76ers will deal with his well-publicized anxiety disorder, but his mental health awareness crusade will continue. He wants to play basketball – but only if it’s within the confines of what his anxiety attacks will allow. Will he play? Stay tuned. ‘Anything can happen between now and (the season),’ White said. ‘It’s every intention of mine to play. I don’t know what Philly’s intentions are. I’m just going to go there, work hard and try to earn my place.’ White played only 15 games last season for the NBA Developmental League Rio Grande Vipers after being a first-round draft choice in 2012. He didn’t play for the Rockets, as neither side could agree how the team — and the NBA — would deal with the anxiety attacks that started when he was a teenager. ‘If the trade goes through, I’m excited,’ White said after a 32-point, seven-rebound, seven-assist night during a 121-114 loss against a team sponsored by Coca-Cola. ‘It’s a blessing to play on any NBA team. I just hope I can continue to work with the NBA and the players’ union and whatever team I’m on to help create more mental health awareness. It’s a tough dynamic to deal with. It’s complex, but I’m glad everyone is talking about it.'”