Houston Rockets all-time NBA Draft bust starting 5

The Rockets missed on these first-round draft picks.

Houston Rockets, Tilman Fertitta, Daryl Morey
Houston Rockets, Tilman Fertitta, Daryl Morey | Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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PF: Royce White

The 16th overall pick in 2012 never played for the Rockets. He was a dominant two-way force at Iowa State and a deserving first-round selection, but things quickly unraveled. White dropped in the draft because of his fear of flying.

He did not report to training camp as a rookie after a dispute with the organization about his travel accommodations to games. He wanted to bus to as many contests as possible. There was plenty of back and forth. White was ultimately suspended and never set foot on the floor for the Rockets.

The 6’8 forward was traded to the 76ers in 2013 and appeared in just three NBA games. It was never a question of his talent. White had all the skills, but he could not find the right fit. White missed the only shot of his NBA career and produced no other counting stats, except two personal fouls.

Royce White is now a politician. He did play a few years of professional basketball in Canada after his NBA career fizzled. The Houston Rockets were left dreaming of what could have been if things worked out. White drew comparisons to NBA stars during the pre-draft process, but it never came to be.

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