Royce White faces an extraordinary challenge at the start of his rookie year with the Houston Rockets , before the season even begins . He is terrified to fly . `` It 's a day-by-day struggle for me , '' he said . `` I 'm very happy that I made it here , and that the Rockets gave me the chance that I have . '' The 21-year-old forward speaks openly about his generalized anxiety disorder , and the demands of his new role as a professional basketball player . `` But at the same time , just knowing what I know about anxiety and mental health , there is a side of my mind that ca n't look away from the fact that I do think about it every day . I wake up ( and think ) , 'Am I cut out for this ? ' '' He calls his career in the National Basketball Association a dream come true . But living that dream is a challenge for the first-round draft pick from Minneapolis , Minnesota . His anxiety manifests itself in his fear of flying , as well as in his obsessive-compulsive disorder . Both could jeopardize White 's career in the NBA , with all of its rigors , and rewards . He missed the Rockets ' training camp in McAllen , Texas , earlier this month , apparently because of his flying phobia . That flight would have been his first with his new NBA teammates on the team plane , according to White . He appreciates the comfort of first-class air travel . But that does n't completely alleviate his fear : `` I 'm definitely afraid of heights , '' he said . `` And I 'm not really running from that . '' TV stars , travel bloggers not immune to fear of flying . In a phone interview with CNN , he recounted the panic attacks he had at airports when he flew to basketball camps and skills academies during high school . White said that he has managed to fly several times since he was drafted earlier this year . And he plans to fulfill his obligations for the team . But when there 's turbulence : `` I 'm scared sh**less . '' Once the NBA season kicks off later this month , players will need to crisscross the country for games , often several times in a week . The season holds more than 80 games , nearly triple the demands of a college basketball season . White was the star player at Iowa State University last season , both on and off the court . The 6-foot , 8-inch tall power forward led the Cyclones in scores and rebounds , not to mention in assists and steals . Basketball analyst Nate Ross points out that the transition from college star to NBA newcomer is tough for any rookie . `` They are going from playing 30 games a year to almost 100 games a year , '' he said . `` That 's three times as many games against bigger , quicker players than they 've ever seen in their lives . '' Of course , the NBA compensation is also far more than a player would have seen in college . And a $ 1 million-plus contract brings its own set of surprises for White as he grapples with his OCD . `` I live in a bigger house than I 'm used to , '' White said . `` So the toughest thing is going around and seeing that dust has collected in a room you do n't use often . And then I 've got to spend 30 minutes dusting that thing . That 's a new one for me . '' He is candid about his personal struggle with anxiety , which is playing out in a public arena . White said he is grateful to the Rockets for their support . `` They 're being very open to helping me in any way that I need and giving me the support I need , '' he said . For their part , the Rockets wo n't comment specifically on White 's condition . A team spokesperson released a statement from General Manager Daryl Morey , which said : `` We are committed to Royce 's long-term success , and we will continue to support him now and going forward . '' White speaks publicly about his anxiety , for which he takes medication but is n't currently in therapy , because he wants to boost awareness about mental illness . He uses Twitter to share his own stories and respond to people who reach out to him . `` I 'm actually starting an entire campaign , raising awareness to mental illness and destigmatizing it , '' he said . He lent his star power to his community while he was playing college basketball in Iowa . He spoke to young fans at Orchard Place , a charity for children with mental health and behavioral disorders . He signed autographs for more than an hour , and told his audience of enraptured young fans that his condition parallels what some of the children there have . `` It was inspiring to them , '' said Nancy Bobo , vice president of development and marketing at the charity . White said his new team is encouraging when it comes to continuing his philanthropy work and spreading his message . His new role already looks like it will resonate beyond Houston . Has anxiety prevented you from pursuing goals ? Have you established ways to overcome it ? Share your experience in the comments section below .
Reggie White , a player with the Houston Rockets , suffers from anxiety disorder . He missed the first week of training camp , reportedly due to his fear of heights . White is open about his condition , speaks to others with mental health issues . He plans to fulfill his commitment to the Rockets , despite his condition .