Houston Rockets call Royce White worst draft pick ever

Oct 17, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Royce White (30) runs up court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at the Toyota Center. The Rockets won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Royce White (30) runs up court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at the Toyota Center. The Rockets won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Royce White (30) runs up court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at the Toyota Center. The Rockets won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Royce White (30) runs up court against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at the Toyota Center. The Rockets won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Houston Rockets took a big chance when they Royce White out of Iowa State a few years ago, but the gamble never paid off. While White reported to the Rockets, he never played a single minute for the team and as a result was traded to and waived by the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.

At the moment, Cleveland Cavaliers first-round pick Anthony Bennett is being deemed the worst draft pick ever by some around the league, but Rockets GM Daryl Morey is claiming that as bad as Bennet is he’s nowhere near as bad as White was.

Morey’s quotes, per ClutchFans.net’s Ben DuBose:

"“I take some sort of pride that you could argue that Royce White is the worst first-round pick ever. He’s the only one that never played a minute in the NBAthat wasn’t just a foreign guy staying in Europe. It just shows we swing for the fence.”"

Bennett has been a massive dissapointment this season, but he’s not anywhere near the level of awful that White was. It’s unfortunate, as White could have really been a voice for those with mental illness in this country, but he squandered the opportunity away — something Morey seems very open with talking about.

H/T: BleacherReport