Shama: Royce White to Meet with Gophers Coach About Possible Return

[BleedGopher]

White to Meet with Gophers Coach

Royce White will meet with coach Tubby Smith next week to explore returning to the Gophers basketball program, according to White’s grandfather. The older White told Sports Headliners he and his grandson will have a meeting with Smith but as of last night the date hadn’t been determined.

“We’re going to sit down with Tubby next week and have a conversation,” Frank White said.

Royce White was the state’s Mr. Basketball last year and his arrival at Minnesota as a McDonald’s All-American was highly anticipated but he dropped out of school a few weeks ago after never playing in a game during the 2009-10 season. Smith disciplined him for incidents at the Mall of America and on the University of Minnesota campus.

What’s the specific purpose of next week’s meeting? “To talk about possibilities of Royce getting back in school,” Frank White said.

Has his grandson changed his feelings about the University? “…I think Royce has some concerns that don’t have anything to do with the basketball team,” Frank White said. “I think he’s confused about some of the frustrations that he’s had with the (University) police department and maybe how he was treated in the laptop situation (on campus). I don’t want to speak for him but I am sure that’s part of what he’s concerned about.”

White is a 6-7 freshman power forward that most observers agree would have helped the Gophers who are struggling through a below .500 season in the Big Ten Conference and appear to have little chance of making the NCAA tournament.

Multiple sources have said White excelled in academics during last semester at the University. “Royce is a very smart kid,” his grandfather said. “Royce is not going to have any problems with education and learning. Royce’s challenges might be a little bit more in terms of being disciplined enough to be organized and take care of business.

“I would hope that Royce really takes a look at what he’s lost this first year. And what he loves, and who he associates with. I think Royce would tell you that he’s learned from the mistakes he’s made.”

http://www.shamasportsheadliners.com/

Go Gophers!!

[station19]

Who will be the first to decide, Royce, Tubby or Brett F.

[Blizzard]

More important would anyone really have cared if we would have beat Purdue?

[playhosea!]

Royce White was a McDonald's All-American? Somebody should inform McDonald's.

[KyGopherfan]

Best news I've heard all week.

[98VQueens]

More important would anyone really have cared if we would have beat Purdue?

Hate to admit it, but yes...

[tjgopher]

Anyone know what the rules are with Royce? He was released from his scholarship. He has dropped out of school. Would he even be eligible to get his scholarship back and would he even be eligible to play right away since he did not take classes this semester?

[underground629]

I really hope we don't take up Royce's scholarship with some not so great player. I'm assuming we won't get CJ, which would mean probably 2 not so great players. Even if Royce doesn't return, I think we're still better off saving the scholarship at this point. Btw, who are we most likely to get if we don't get CJ?

[WilliamsArenaGuy]

Gee, it must have been really hard for Royce not to have his name in the news for the a couple weeks.

Christ almighty, he quit the team; he quit school; he doesn't exist. I hate the mere mention of his name. If he never gets in trouble again and somehow finds himself on the roster next fall, fine. I'll root for him. I would love it if I never heard his name again until then.

[Go4]

Gee, it must have been really hard for Royce not to have his name in the news for the a couple weeks.

Christ almighty, he quit the team; he quit school; he doesn't exist. I hate the mere mention of his name. If he never gets in trouble again and somehow finds himself on the roster next fall, fine. I'll root for him. I would love it if I never heard his name again until then.

christ almighty, royce didnt give an interview. royce may not mind the press but royce also may have intended to have this private and his grandfather chose to tell shama.

[Gopher Gold]

Who will be the first to decide, Royce, Tubby or Brett F.

Dont forget about Seantrel in that mix. :rolleyes:

[Gopher Gold]

I dont even think I can let myself get excited about this news... It seems like whenever something good is about to happen this year it comes crashing down soon after. But gosh do I hope he is on the court next year.

[centerofmn]

Gee, it must have been really hard for Royce not to have his name in the news for the a couple weeks.

Christ almighty, he quit the team; he quit school; he doesn't exist. I hate the mere mention of his name. If he never gets in trouble again and somehow finds himself on the roster next fall, fine. I'll root for him. I would love it if I never heard his name again until then.

Yes, I am sure this is all just another ploy by Royce White to get his name back in the media.

Or maybe, just maybe, he wants to revitalize his chances at a basketball career (college and/or professional).

[GophersOnTheRise]

Who will be the first to decide, Royce, Tubby or Brett F.

A reliable source has informed me that Brett Favre intends to win a Super Bowl for each and every NFL team before he considers retiring for good. It's a personal goal that he's wanted to reach since he entered the league over 30 years ago. Take it for what it's worth, but I assure you it's a reliable source.

Seriously though, I hope Royce signs up for some classes that start up later in this semester (or is it too late?) and takes some summer classes as well so he's eligible to play right away next year if he does in fact rejoin the team. That would be some great news.

[WilliamsArenaGuy]

Ok then guys. Maybe he shouldn't have quit school. Then there would be no need for this "meeting." I think Tubby has bigger things to worry about right now.

[Blizzard]

About the one thing that I've found to be true in this whole saga is to not trust what his Grandfather is saying. That's not to say he isn't trustworthy or desiring to do the right thing just not successful.

They may just get together .. who knows? But one constant in this whole thing is Royce's Grandfather working to help Royce make good decisions and not being able to.

I'm sorry, but according to this quote from Marcus, it doesn't even appear to me that Royce or Tubby have anything scheduled anywhere or at anytime, only Royce's Grandfather wanting to do the right thing for Royce ( getting them together ) and if the track record holds up as it has for the last six months - he won't be able to.


"I just have to find the right time to make it all work," Frank White told the Pioneer Press today. "I just need to get Royce to sit down with Tubby and get the two of them talking. Hopefully, the result will be Royce playing basketball and being a student at the University of Minnesota."

[BleedGopher]

Here is the article and link that Blizzard references:

Former University of Minnesota freshman basketball player Royce White might meet with Gophers coach Tubby Smith next week to talk about rejoining the team next season, according to White's grandfather, Frank.

"I just have to find the right time to make it all work," Frank White told the Pioneer Press today. "I just need to get Royce to sit down with Tubby and get the two of them talking. Hopefully, the result will be Royce playing basketball and being a student at the University of Minnesota."

Royce White, who pleaded guilty Feb. 9 to one count of misdemeanor trespass, decided to leave school and was granted a release from his scholarship this month. The 6-foot-8 former Hopkins High School star said he was frustrated with the University Police's investigation of a stolen laptop. White was a suspect, but was never charged with theft.

"He definitely wants to play basketball," Frank White said. "I don't want to speak for Royce, but I think it's true that those things are behind him. Hopefully, he can reflect on this lost year and move forward."

http://www.twincities.com/gophers/ci_14477171

Go Gophers!!

[bga1]

About the one thing that I've found to be true in this whole saga is to not trust what his Grandfather is saying. That's not to say he isn't trustworthy or desiring to do the right thing just not successful.

They may just get together .. who knows? But one constant in this whole thing is Royce's Grandfather working to help Royce make good decisions and not being able to.

I'm sorry, but according to this quote from Marcus, it doesn't even appear to me that Royce or Tubby have anything scheduled anywhere or at anytime, only Royce's Grandfather wanting to do the right thing for Royce ( getting them together ) and if the track record holds up as it has for the last six months - he won't be able to.

I'd say this: Thank heaven for his grandfather. Royce may not be doing what he says but at least there is a voice of reason in his life. That gives him a chance.

[Blizzard]

I'd say this: Thank heaven for his grandfather. Royce may not be doing what he says but at least there is a voice of reason in his life. That gives him a chance.

Completely agree Bga. It's just so unfortunate that his advice has fallen on deaf ears.

[tikited]

How long before we read about how he still has a lot of work to do before anything happens?

[Reserve]

Thank heaven for his grandfather. Royce may not be doing what he says but at least there is a voice of reason in his life. That gives him a chance.

I have to say from personal experience .. Thank God for the people that never gave up on us ( me ). I hope his Grandfather is successful at whatever he's trying to do. That kind of determination is born out of love.

[Dr.Don]

How about we all stop trying to analyze everything?

[surpher]

Kids tend to make mistakes. He is only a teenager. No matter how mature he looks he is only a kid. A very gifted kid at that. I for one flunked out of Macalester. I learned how to party, but forgot to go to school.Coming from the iron range, I was very immature. Even if my parents could have never afforded to send me there, I didnt apply myself. I had a lot of learning to do, and little by little I found my way. The point is if Royce is willing to try, and has learned from his mistakes, He deserves to come back.He seems like a good kid. GO GOPHERS!

[justthefacts]

Frank White runs the parks and rec department for Richfield and thus has a job that brings him into contact with the public a lot and so I've come into contact with him several times. He's a hell of a guy. I'm sure this whole thing frustrates him to no end.

[Brew_recruit]

I think one of the reason's that you have to treat Royce's situation different then others is because he represents local talent staying home to make the gophers great. Just think of Cole wanted to stay home, or Lockett, or Taylor. Minnesota has had some amazing talent over the last 10 years and if the majority of them stayed home like Royce did then our program would be top 20 year in and year out.

[Dr.Gopher]

I think one of the reason's that you have to treat Royce's situation different then others is because he represents local talent staying home to make the gophers great. Just think of Cole wanted to stay home, or Lockett, or Taylor. Minnesota has had some amazing talent over the last 10 years and if the majority of them stayed home like Royce did then our program would be top 20 year in and year out.

Great post! I agree, we should cut him some slack and let him mature. I'm glad I didn't have to go through the labile days of my teen years in the public eye like Royce does. I understand that he brings much of this attention onto himself with immature and impulsive behavior. Like many outstanding players he has been pampered and allowed to get away with it for years. However, now he is going through a process of growing up and being held accountable by a great mentor in Tubby. IMO we should support him and give him the chance to make his basketball dreams come true as a Gopher. We might all be better for it in the long run.

[gopheralum2000]

Gee, it must have been really hard for Royce not to have his name in the news for the a couple weeks.

Christ almighty, he quit the team; he quit school; he doesn't exist. I hate the mere mention of his name. If he never gets in trouble again and somehow finds himself on the roster next fall, fine. I'll root for him. I would love it if I never heard his name again until then.

Then you don't really need to respond to any posts on this thread. Goodbye.

[Honyocker]

I think one of the reason's that you have to treat Royce's situation different then others is because he represents local talent staying home to make the gophers great. Just think of Cole wanted to stay home, or Lockett, or Taylor. Minnesota has had some amazing talent over the last 10 years and if the majority of them stayed home like Royce did then our program would be top 20 year in and year out.

Listen, the only reason the charade goes on with Royce is a talented player and Tubby wants to win games. Period. The local kid thing is way down the line. This is putting up with a lot of crap because the kid can help us win more games.

[gopherphan]

How long before we read about how he still has a lot of work to do before anything happens?

right after maturi hears about it and cares enough to stop spinning in his chair

[bga1]

How about we all stop trying to analyze everything?

Welcome to the Gopherhole.

List of banned activities:

1. Poor spelling or grammer
2. Rumors
3. Post game venting
4. Analysis

[From the Barn]

Welcome to the Gopherhole.

List of banned activities:

1. Poor spelling or grammer
2. Rumors
3. Post game venting
4. Analysis

5. Humor

[Gopher Warrior]

Welcome to the Gopherhole.

List of banned activities:

1. Poor spelling or grammer


Is poor grammar allowed?

[Go4]

good post gopherwarrior.


Is poor grammar allowed?

make up your mind though as you told me this a few weeks back >>I don't create posts solely to 'point out...little mistakes'. You do. That's ugly.<< here is the link http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/showthread.php?p=185153#post185153

That's ugly.

[Gopher Warrior]

good post gopherwarrior.

make up your mind though as you told me this a few weeks back >>I don't create posts solely to 'point out...little mistakes'. You do. That's ugly.<< here is the link http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/boards/showthread.php?p=185153#post185153

That's ugly.

Target has a big sale on Kleenex this weekend - lucky for you! (both for the tears and that 'playful habit' you have)

BTW - that wasn't a little mistake I was pointing out - it was pointing out how ridiculous it is to talk about poor grammar when you can't spell grammer. The topic was 'grammer'.. I didn't go off topic simply to point out a horrendous (not 'little') mistake.

PS - creepy that you're following my posts that much.

[bankonit]

I hope Tubby tells him thanks but no thanks

[XMan]

I am on the oppostie side. Get him back in school and if he does well in summer school, get him in a uniform.

[Section201]

I am on the oppostie side. Get him back in school and if he does well in summer school, get him in a uniform.

I would have felt more positive about this scenario if he had STAYED in school to begin with!

He chose to quit.

[GophersOnTheRise]

I am on the oppostie side. Get him back in school and if he does well in summer school, get him in a uniform.

+1

[MillionMoves]

Listen, the only reason the charade goes on with Royce is a talented player and Tubby wants to win games.

Ya think?

[fan of Ray Williams]

Ya think?


Pretty funny.

[gopherbadgerman]

I'd take him back, its all about winning at the B10 level, if he stays out of further trouble and can add some W's, Im all for it. Hell I'd take another Clem and Jan to get back to another Final Four.

[millions2spare]

I am sure maturi will find a reason to suspend him for potential player misconduct and for future crimes not yet committed...........

[Section201]

I see the sockpuppets are back.

:(

[Rick Mons]

Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.
.................. Michael Corleone

[Max Power]

Completely agree Bga. It's just so unfortunate that his advice has fallen on deaf ears.

His grandfather has been making excuses for his behavior for the past 3 years. He's as big a part of the problem as Royce himself. That's why Royce needs someone like Tubby in his life so badly...so that someone will hold him accountable for something.