Royce White Joins the Clippers

Former first round pick Royce White has not appeared in an NBA game since the 2013-14 season with the Sacramento Kings. On June 14th, he officially joined the Los Angeles Clippers roster, according to Darren Wolfson of kstp.com.

On May 28th, Shams Charnia of RealGM noted;

“Bulls, Pelicans emerging as suitors for Royce White’s NBA comeback in July, sources tell RealGM. Former 16th pick is deciding among several.”

The Houston Rockets selected White with the 16th pick of the 2012 NBA draft, but he never actually played for them. He was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and Sean Highkin of ProBasketballTalk noted that “he disagreed with team officials and doctors about how best to manage his condition and refused to be assigned to the D-League.”

Houston ultimately traded White to the Philadelphia 76ers. White was then waived and signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings. While there, he appeared in three games and did not score a single point in his nine total minutes played.

Still, White was a walking double-double in 2011-12 for Iowa State as he averaged 13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and five assists per game. He had guard-like vision from the forward spot, an array of post moves, soft touch on a mid-range jumper and the ability to battle for rebounds on both ends of the floor.

There is certainly room for someone like that at the NBA level, and White believes he will find the right situation, perk KSTP.com:

“I don’t even believe in that, in case it doesn’t work out, it’s gonna work out, it’s gonna work out.”

Talent does often win out, and White certainly has plenty of that. Now it is just a question of if the Clippers can use White as someone who can at least contribute off the bench as part of a rotation.