Sports

Iowa State’s White overcomes anxiety

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Imagine this: A 6-foot-8, 270-pound 20-year-old, who dominates opponents on the basketball court while suffering from an anxiety disorder.

It’s cynical human nature to wonder what in the world Iowa State basketball behemoth Royce White could have to be stressed out about.

Already living the opening chapter of a special collegiate career, he will have a date with the NBA as a lottery pick whenever he chooses.

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But this is White’s plight: He was diagnosed in his senior year of high school with generalized anxiety disorder, which according to Anxiety Disorders Association of America, is characterized by “persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things.’’

A byproduct of White’s disorder is a fear of flying, which caused him to eschew the team plane and drive with his grandfather, Frank, the 610 miles in about nine hours from Iowa to the NCAA regional in Louisville this week.

Imagine this: Many of the bad things that have happened in White’s 20 years on earth, including the anxiety disorder, have resulted in something good.

It all has led to this week, when Iowa State upset defending national champion Connecticut in an NCAA tournament second-round game Thursday and will play Kentucky tonight in the third round of the East Region for a trip to the Sweet 16.

White has called this week “My Cinderella story,’’ but his life has hardly been a fairy tale.

White derailed his path to becoming the hometown hero in his home state of Minnesota when, during his freshman year at the University of Minnesota, he pled guilty to theft and disorderly conduct after he was accused of shoplifting and pushing a mall security guard.

White had to get out of Minnesota. He knew that was the only way he could reboot his life.

Imagine this: Had it not been for White’s anxiety disorder, he would be playing for the Wildcats tonight, not against them.

When he decided to transfer from Minnesota, White signed a letter of intent to play for John Calipari at Kentucky. Calipari called him and said, “Get on a flight tomorrow,’’ triggering a panic attack for White at the thought of flying to Lexington by himself.

White was so distraught he had his mother call Calipari to cancel the trip.

“I respect Coach Cal so much I couldn’t even call,’’ White said. “But look, they don’t need me. They don’t need anybody. They’re the No. 1 team in the country.”

Calipari’s Wildcats might find they need White when they play against him tonight.

Imagine this: White actually views his anxiety disorder as a blessing of sorts, calling it “a gift and a curse’’ because “it allows my brain to work in a way most people don’t, which sometimes can be an asset.’’

Mature words for a 20-year-old father who’s playing his first year of college basketball with a target on his back.

Part of that maturity came from the talks he has had with former Yankees Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, the best friend of Royce’s grandfather from their days together at the University of Minnesota.

When Royce was a ninth grader, Frank White took him to a Negro Leagues dinner, where Winfield was given an award and he asked Winfield to speak to his grandson.

“What’s your goal?’’ Winfield asked.

“I want to play in the league,’’ Royce said.

“What’s your second goal, or your other option, because you’re going to need it?’’ Winfield said.

“He’s matured vastly in the last year or two,’’ Winfield said yesterday. “Hopefully some of the advice and well wishes sink in. No one makes it alone.’’

Despite traveling a road littered with potholes, Royce White is making it just fine. If Iowa State wins, he said he will be flying with the team to Atlanta for the Sweet 16.

Imagine that.