HoopsHype.com Rumors

Royce White: It's saddens me when music fans get caught up in "mainstream" vs "underground"... it's all music, it's all art. @justinbieber Keep winning! Twitter @Highway_30

Royce White 

Hope @Highway_30 writes a mental illness book #AnxietyTrooper #Support” Royce White: Writing now, don't want to rush it. Appreciate the love! Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant had a response for Royce White’s Twitter observation that he and the Thunder looked “Shaaakyy.” “Who’s he?” Durant said. When told that White is the Rockets rookie first-round pick from Iowa State, Durant seemed to remember. “I haven’t seen him on the bench,” Durant said. “He hasn’t played against us so I’m not worried about guys that’s not even in our series. Ain’t that the guy that can’t, that’s afraid to fly? I wish him the best. If I see him next year, I’ll let him know who we are.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Royce White 

Royce White may not be with the Houston Rockets for the playoffs. However, that didn't stop him from taking a few jabs at the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Durant. After the Rockets staved off elimination for a second straight game with Wednesday's 107-100 win in Game 5, White tweeted his confidence at the Thunder and Durant: "And... that's why you play the games. That @okcthunder team just looked shook. They're looking shaky baby." White followed with another tweet to Durant. "@KDTrey5... Y'all are looking SHAAAKYY BAAABYY." ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Royce White 

Houston rookie Royce White, who has yet to make his NBA debut after spending months engaged in a dispute with management over the treatment of his mental health, took a jab at Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant on Twitter Wednesday night. “Y’all are looking SHAAAKYY BAAABYY,” White wrote to Durant. SI.com

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Royce White 

Those messages prompted a number of replies to White suggesting that his comments lacked substance given that he has isn’t currently playing for the Rockets. White laughed off that line of and defended his right to speak his mind. “It’s ALOT of tough B-BALL fans on [Twitter],” he wrote. “I’m a spectator right now, I’ll say whatever the f— I want. Swing when you see me. … Do [people] ACTUALLY think if they tweet enough I’m going to change? ‘Never change when you’re winning.’ Say what I want… Freedom of speech.” SI.com

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Royce White: As a firm supporter of the LGBTT, of course I support & applaud @Jason Collins brave decision. Facing stigma head on, thank you. #BeWell Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Jason Collins, Royce White 

Royce White: Congratulations to the @rgvvipers on winning the D-League championship. That organization deserves it, Nick Nurse is a GREAT coach. Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, D-League, Royce White 

Royce White: This "Django" soundtrack is INCREDIBLE, movie is pretty good too. Nothing like a great movie... Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, Royce White, Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained 

Royce White, the former Mr. Basketball in Minnesota whose struggles with mental illness have been well documented since he was picked in the NBA draft last year, has inspired others talk about mental illness. In Des Moines today, an Iowa legislator used an appearance by White to reveal that she declined an Iowa teacher of the year award because of her struggles with mental illness. "I carried that in my heart as a secret until today," Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines said. "This is the first time I've ever publicly admitted that that was the real reason why I wasn't selected as national teacher of the year. Royce White gave me the courage to stand up and speak out about my own issue." Minnesota Public Radio

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Royce White: When an article title reads "Former Houston Rocket...", in reference to me, probably enough said about the integrity of it. #BeWell ✌❤ & Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Mark Berman: NBA sources: Rockets rookie forward Royce White unlikely to play for Rio Grande Valley Vipers in NBA D-League playoffs. Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, D-League, Royce White 

General manager Daryl Morey on Thursday disputed rookie forward Royce White’s contention a plan is in place for White to leave the Development League at the end of the regular season and skip the playoffs, indicating no decision has been made. Morey said in his weekly radio interview he expects White to play the remaining four regular-season games with the Vipers before a decision is reached about him playing in the playoffs. “We’ll see where it goes from there,” Morey said. “The plan is to play it by ear. See what the best plan is at that point when we reach the end.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, Royce White 

Rockets rookie Royce White had perhaps his best game of his NBA Development League season with his return to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday, but quickly added that he does not plan to stick around for long. White left the team last week, missing three games including a road trip to Indiana and Pennsylvania, telling CNN that the inconsistency of living in hotels is unhealthy for him because of his anxiety disorder. He returned on Tuesday, planning to play the season’s final six regular-season games, all at home, but said after the game that he would not play in the D-League postseason because of its “hectic” schedule. “I’ll be here until the end of the regular season,” White told The Monitor after the game. “The playoff schedule and how hectic it is in the D-League probably ain’t going be the best thing for me. Going to the playoffs, I want them to have a team that’s going to stick together.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Royce White: If @NBA doesn't address the lack of #MentalHealth support, players will come into the league unnoticed & end up still having issues. #Facts Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

After leaving the NBA's Development League Rio Grande Valley Vipers without permission last week, Houston Rockets first-round pick Royce White will return to the team, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, D-League, Royce White 

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is in Europe on a scouting trip and had not responded to a message from USA TODAY Sports. White had not returned a text message and voice mail. On Thursday, White tweeted, "Have been advised by our team physician it is most logical I be in Houston the remainder of the season. Thank you @rgvvipers for having me." He also tweeted, "To clarify, I'm not quitting basketball. I'm working out in Houston to better transition and prepare for next season. Very excited for it..." White missed the Vipers' last two games – in Erie, Pa., and Fort Wayne, Ind. Rio Grande Valley, which has clinched a playoff spot, has six regular-season games remaining – all at home. USA Today Sports

Houston Rockets, D-League, Royce White 

Royce White: AGAIN, no one is quitting ANYTHING, just getting prepared 4 next season with the @HoustonRockets... I'm very excited, can't wait to rejoin. Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, Royce White 

Royce White: The more positive I get, the more hate they send... very bizarre process to watch first hand. It's like a hate hydra. Where's the positive? Twitter @Highway_30

Houston Rockets, D-League, Royce White 

As a result of the tweets, officials at RGV were trying to determine if White would be on the roster for Thursday night's home game against Iowa. Including Thursday night, the Vipers have nine games remaining on the schedule. In 12 games with the Vipers, including eight starts, White has averaged 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. The Rockets have no official statement as of yet. White battles anxiety disorder and that was known when the Rockets selected him out of Iowa State in the first round with the 16th overall pick. After missing an early portion of the preseason, White came back, then left the team before playing a regular-season minute. The Rockets officially sent him to the D-League on Dec. 29. White refused the demotion the next day, citing unsafe conditions. The Rockets suspended him on Jan. 6. CSN Houston

Houston Rockets, D-League, Royce White