White remains absent, at odds with Rockets

Houston rookie Royce White remains absent from the team in a dispute over how the Rockets are helping him confront his anxiety disorder.

HOUSTON -- Rockets rookie Royce White remains absent from the team in a dispute over how the Rockets are helping him confront his anxiety disorder.

The 6-foot-8 White, the 16th overall pick in the 2012 draft, made a deal with the team to travel by bus to some games this season, so he could confront his fear of flying and obsessive compulsive disorder over the long term. He flew with the team to its season opener in Detroit, then traveled by bus to games at Atlanta and Memphis.

White, who's yet to play in a game, did not attend Monday's game against Miami, Tuesday's practice or the shootaround in advance of Wednesday night's game with New Orleans. He says on his Twitter account that the Rockets have been "inconsistent" in helping him.