Some may remember Royce White as the Rockets’ first-round draft pick in 2012. Others may have seen the 6’8″ forward in the Big 3 in recent years.
However, White will take on a new role in 2024 as a Republican Senate candidate in Minnesota. Yes, you read that right. The former Iowa State standout will be on the ballot in November after Winning the Republican primary for the US Senate on Tuesday.
White is not the first nor will he be the last unconventional political candidate. However, it is always noteworthy when a former athlete switches from the playing field to the political playing field.
Here’s how White went from NBA player to Republican Senate candidate in Minnesota.
Royce White’s NBA career and statistics
White was considered a “Great NBA prospect“with exceptional ball handling and the ability to play in the open court and attack the rim.
The Rockets saw potential in the 6’8″ forward from Iowa State and selected him 16th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. However, White never played for Houston and didn’t play much in the NBA either.
White spoke out about his mental health issues and his fear of flying, which caused a serious problem for the rookie. He didn’t want to fly to away games with the Rockets, which ultimately led to him never playing for the organization.
The Rockets traded him to the 76ers in July 2013, but Philadelphia waived him later that year in October. The Kings gave White a chance in March 2014 on two 10-day contracts. He played in three games, Do not record any statistics other than one shot attempt and two foulsThat was the end of his NBA career. White played a few seasons overseas before joining the Big 3.
She has since changed course completely and entered the political arena in her home state of Minnesota. White ran in the Republican primary for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022, but lost.
White ran in the Republican primary for Senate in 2024, defeating Joe Fraser to win the nomination. The former NBA player will appear on the ballot in November against Democratic incumbent Amy Klobuchar.
White, 33, has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. He speaks from personal experience and details the start of his NBA career in 2012.
The Royce White controversy
While White has been a voice raising awareness about mental health, she has also had her share of controversy throughout her political campaigns in recent years.
He has been convicted for comments who are considered “misogynistic, homophobic, anti-Semitic and profane.” Many also question his loyalty to former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
“He has a lot of courage to say things that a lot of people wouldn’t say,” White said of Jones.
White has also been accused of misusing donors’ money for his own benefit. White has denied any wrongdoing, including the alleged spending at the strip club.
Royce White NBA Stats
White played just three games in the NBA during the 2013-14 season. While the Rockets drafted him in 2012, the Iowa State forward never played for the team due to mental health issues and his reluctance to fly.
He signed two 10-day contracts with the Sacramento Kings before concluding his NBA career. Here are his total stats from those three games.
| Year | Equipment | Family doctor | MINIMUM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | Black | FG-FGA | 3P-3PA | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) |
| 2013-2014 | Kings | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Royce White College Statistics
White played a full season of college basketball over the course of three years. He started at Minnesota and played just one game before running into legal trouble.
The forward was “indefinitely suspended from the team” due to an alleged theft of a laptop. While he maintained his innocence, he said the stress was too much for him and his family, so he left the team.
He returned to college basketball with Iowa State during the 2011–12 season. White helped the Cyclones finish with a 23–11 record. They lost in the Big 12 final and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed.
| Year | Equipment | Family doctor | MPG | People’s Democratic Party | Role playing game | APG | AAP | BPG | % of goal | 3 points percent | FOOT% |
| 2009-10 | Minnesota | 1 | 17.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 60% | N/A | 50% |
| 2011-12 | State of Iowa | 34 | 31.5 | 13.4 | 9.3 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 53.4% | 33.3% | 49.8% |
