What Is Royce White’s Net Worth?
Royce White, an American mixed martial artist and former professional basketball player, has an estimated net worth of $1 million. This valuation primarily stems from his earnings during his basketball career, encompassing NBA contracts, G League participation, and his time in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada). His transition to mixed martial arts may introduce new revenue streams, but the extent of their impact on his overall net worth remains to be seen.
Early Life and Basketball Career Earnings
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in April 1991, Royce White’s basketball journey began in high school at DeLaSalle and Hopkins. His exceptional talent led to him being named Minnesota Mr. Basketball in 2009, a prestigious accolade highlighting his early potential. He further solidified his standing as a top prospect by being selected as a Jordan Brand Classic All-American. While specific details regarding his early earnings are unavailable, these achievements laid the foundation for his subsequent professional career, which would significantly contribute to his current net worth.
White’s college basketball career saw him play for both the University of Minnesota and Iowa State University. At Iowa State, he earned recognition as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, was named to the first-team All-Big 12, and secured a spot on the Big 12 All-Rookie team in 2012. College athletes weren’t typically paid salaries during his time in college, so the direct financial impact on his net worth at this stage was negligible. However, these accolades heightened his profile and played a crucial role in him being drafted into the NBA, which directly impacted his earning potential.
Royce White was drafted 16th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA Draft. While the exact details of his rookie contract with the Rockets are not fully public, NBA rookie scale contracts for that draft slot provide some insight. A 16th overall pick in 2012 could have anticipated earning approximately $1.3 million per year based on NBA’s rookie scale, potentially amassing to over $6 million over the course of a four-year rookie contract. However, due to White’s well-documented struggles with anxiety and his limited playing time, it is unlikely that he fully realized the financial potential of his initial contract. This significantly impacted the trajectory of his overall net worth accumulation during the first part of his career.
After his time with the Houston Rockets, White played a single game for the Sacramento Kings in 2014. The value of this contract, if any existed, with the Kings is not publicly available. Given his brief stint with the team, it’s reasonable to assume that the financial impact on his net worth would be less substantial compared to his initial NBA contract with the Rockets.
Beyond the NBA, White played in the G League. G League salaries are significantly lower than those in the NBA. At the time he played in the G League, players could expect to earn a base salary in the range of $25,000 per year. While playing in the G League provided him with an opportunity to continue playing professionally, the financial contribution to his overall net worth would have been modest.
Royce White also played in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada), where he achieved considerable success. In 2017, playing for the London Lightning, he was named NBL Canada MVP, NBL Canada scoring champion, and NBL Canada champion. While NBL Canada salaries are not as lucrative as those in the NBA, his performance likely earned him a respectable salary for that league. However, specific contract figures are not publicly accessible. It is worth noting that his MVP award could have come with a bonus. Despite his accomplishments in Canada, the financial impact on his total net worth would have been comparatively small relative to his NBA potential.
Transition to Mixed Martial Arts and Other Ventures
In 2019, Royce White announced his transition to mixed martial arts (MMA), a significant shift in his professional trajectory. While his basketball career contributed to his current net worth, his MMA career has the potential to influence it further. The financial success of an MMA fighter varies greatly depending on factors like fight frequency, pay-per-view buys (for top-tier fighters), and sponsorship deals. For a newcomer like White, initial earnings are likely to be modest, primarily consisting of show money and potential win bonuses. As he gains experience and notoriety, his earning potential could increase, potentially impacting his overall net worth positively. The specifics of his MMA contracts and earnings are not publicly available.
Royce White also authored the book “MMA x NBA, A Critique of Modern Sport in America,” published in 2019. While being an author can add to a person’s income, the extent of royalties earned from book sales is difficult to determine without specific sales figures. Unless the book was a bestseller, it’s unlikely that the income from book sales has significantly altered his overall net worth.
Royce White: Net Worth Summary
Royce White’s estimated net worth of $1 million is primarily attributed to earnings from his basketball career, including his NBA contract, G League participation, and time in the NBL Canada. While the exact details of his contracts and earnings are not fully public, publicly available information about NBA rookie scale contracts and typical salaries in other leagues provide context for estimating his income. His transition to mixed martial arts and his authorship of a book represent additional potential revenue streams, but their impact on his net worth is difficult to quantify without specific financial data. His NBA career’s full earning potential was likely limited due to his anxiety-related challenges, affecting his long-term net worth accumulation.