Former Minnesota Golden Gopher and current Iowa State Cyclone star Royce White was almost a Wildcat.  ESPN’s Myron Medcalf drops this interesting bit of knowledge: 

In 2010, the violent heartbeat that has symbolized the onset of his anxiety since he was a child derailed his plans to transfer to a powerhouse program. That year, John Calipari offered to rescue White — who hadn’t played organized basketball in more than a year — from college basketball’s purgatory after a suspension and eventual departure from Minnesota.

Kentucky’s head coach called the prep star from the Twin Cities one night and asked him to come to Lexington the next day to officially sign with the program. But White’s fear of flying, coupled with his anxiety disorder, ultimately triggered a panic attack.  

His heart thumped as he thought about sitting on the airplane alone. He could barely breathe as fear gripped him. The episode, stemming from a condition that’s severe enough to consistently interfere with the daily lives of people who have it, sapped his strength and left him in emotional ruin.  

He called his mother and told her to cancel the trip on his behalf. On that day, White’s anxiety seemed stronger than any defender he’d ever faced on the basketball court.  

“I was on my way to Kentucky,” White said. “Anxiety set in. It hurt me so bad because I have so much respect for Coach Calipari and Kentucky basketball. I almost came to tears because my anxiety had let me down in that situation.”

You can read the entire article here.  After White announced he was transferring out of Tubby Smith’s program, I can remember hearing rumors about Kentucky maybe being his next destination.  On the season, White is averaging almost 14 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, and almost 5 assists per game.  Every Big 12 coach to the man calls White the toughest guy in the league to guard. 

Sometimes, things just don’t work out the way we want them to.  That’s life.  I think he would have looked FANTASTIC in Kentucky Blue, don’t you?