Royce White Has Left the Houston Rockets’ NBDL Team


Royce White’s very brief stint in the NBA Development League appears to have come to an end. The rookie’s NBA career, meanwhile, remains very much up in the air. Per the Houston Chronicle: “White announced via Twitter that he was leaving the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to be in Houston for the remainder of the season at the advice of the team physician. He did not offer any explanation, but later said he was returning to Houston, not the Rockets. Rockets officials, however, would not comment, potentially indicating that they were not a part of the decision. Even less clear is whether the agreement that White considered necessary to report to the D-League in February will protect him should the Rockets wish to suspend him again. White had been initially assigned to the D-League on Dec. 29 and was suspended Jan. 6 for failing to provide services required by his NBA contract when he refused to report to the Vipers. After reaching an agreement on issues related to the treatment of his anxiety disorder, White was reinstated Jan. 26 and given time to train before reporting Feb. 11. In 12 games with the Vipers, White averaged 9.6 points and 5.6 rebounds, making 41.6 percent of his shots and 62 percent of his free throws.”