Royce White: Anxiety Disorder Scared Off Everyone Except for Kevin McHale

Grantland spent some time with talented forward Royce White leading up to the NBA draft and produced this incredible “hockumentary.” You must watch it. Now. White, who suffers from general anxiety disorder, was a star at Iowa State and had Top 10 talent, but fell to 16th in the draft due to his illness. The buildup to the 4-minute mark is terrific, and then White’s agent tells him everyone is “out” (passing on him), except for Kevin McHale (“the rest of the room is against you”). Riveting stuff.

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28 Responses to “Royce White: Anxiety Disorder Scared Off Everyone Except for Kevin McHale”

Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:06 AM

“Faker.”

- Tyler Duffy

KC Resident Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:08 AM

“Faker.”

- Tyler Duffy

One day I’d love to hear Duffy’s explanation for that post.

HawkEye Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:10 AM

That’ll never happen. At least it didn’t get deleted

ms621 Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:12 AM

Wish we could say the same for the Ole Miss post. That one lives on only in the memories of those of us who were there.

/pours one out for Cabbage

Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:12 AM

Also, don’t know if I’ve wanted to see someone succeed as badly as I do this guy.

KC Resident Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:16 AM

Cool video, TBL.

s1rweeze Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:17 AM

Also, don’t know if I’ve wanted to see someone succeed as badly as I do this guy.

Me too.

Also, I hate the name “anxiety.” There needs to be a better name for it. The way he describes it is perfect though, it really is a feedback loop. Your mind goes into fight-or-flight, then your body reacts, then your mind reacts to your body, etc etc.

Mugatu Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:21 AM

Biggest Hakeem fan ever growing up. First foreign NBA superstar. Love Daryl Morey and believe his team will be fighting for a playoff spot this year. I’m proud that they don’t try to tank like so many other teams.

sousedbergin Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:25 AM

Also, don’t know if I’ve wanted to see someone succeed as badly as I do this guy.

I want him to succeed as badly as I want Austin Rivers to fail.

spencer096 Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:26 AM

wow…first 30 seconds he voiced how i felt before any type of meaningful performance i had until i read “inner game of tennis.”

HawkEye Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:27 AM

Here’s a question, did his draft stock drop due to his illness, or his getting expelled from one high school, and then kicked off the University of Minnesota team?

Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:27 AM

First foreign NBA superstar

False. Darryl Dawkins, Planet Lovetron.

Tim Ryan Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:29 AM

/pours one out for Cabbage

Cabbage. Ha. Forgot about that guy. He stuck to his word and never came back.

KC Resident Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:29 AM

Oh, my. KSU in full effect.

http://totalfratmove.com/1028923

Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:29 AM

Here’s a question, did his draft stock drop due to his illness, or his getting expelled from one high school, and then kicked off the University of Minnesota team?

Was your dad the security guard he shoved or something? Jesus Christ.

scripty Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:31 AM

I’m not sure his stocked dropped that much. Isn’t he kind of a SF/PF tweener? And I think that’s a legitimite concern for teams on their first round pick. I’d say he was picked at the best end of his spectrum.

HawkEye Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:31 AM

Here’s a question, did his draft stock drop due to his illness, or his getting expelled from one high school, and then kicked off the University of Minnesota team?

No, legit question. He was a hard case up here.

chocolatedunker Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:33 AM

anxiety sucks but going on medication to help it is the worst decision someone can make. you become so dependent on it

Tim Ryan Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:35 AM

Also, don’t know if I’ve wanted to see someone succeed as badly as I do this guy.

Absolutely. The hug with his mom after getting picked was pretty damn awesome.

ohheelyeah Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:36 AM

What is a “hockumentary”?
Also, I wouldn’t personally call this riveting, but hey, thats my opinion. Good for the kid.

ms621 Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 11:45 AM

It was kind of interesting to see him in the airport by himself. No entourage, no agent, no one with him. He was just selected 16th in the NBA Draft the night before and he’s still getting on a plane at the ass crack of dawn by himself.

mingusmonk Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Here’s a question, did his draft stock drop due to his illness, or his getting expelled from one high school, and then kicked off the University of Minnesota team?

It seems you assume that they aren’t connected.

vajayjay redick Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Morey did the draft right – he had 3 picks in the teens (blah) so he took 3 high upside guys (Jones/Lamb/White) who may be a little risky. If one of the 3 becomes an all-star it’s a win.

RiSK Says:
September 5th, 2012 at 12:03 PM