Iowa State, after remaking its roster, figures to at least get out of last place in the Big 12 in the coming season. The Cyclones' transfers are getting eligible and ready to make an impact, and chief among them is Royce White, the 2009 Mr. Basketball in Minnesota, who is finally set to make his college debut after legal troubles wrecked his college experience in his home state.
The 6-foot-8 forward has already had a strong summer, averaging a triple-double (24 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) in the YMCA Capital City League, finishing second in the MVP voting.
And in a recent interview with CycloneFanatic.com, he's also talking about his goal of helping Iowa State win an NCAA championship.
"I view this season as a personal vendetta for me to achieve greatness in a sense of team, chemistry and I want to win a championship. An NCAA championship. I want to do that. My senior year in high school, my goal was to go undefeated. We did it. From that, I think that when I set my mind to something and with my teammates, if we all buy into what the coaches put forth, we can do anything. Teams like VCU prove it."
It's a lofty goal to have, but as the former No. 35-ranked recruit by ESPNU, White doesn't lack confidence. Coach Fred Hoiberg feels like White coming off a redshirt year following his transfer from Minnesota will at the very least make his presence felt.
"Royce will be a big help in the paint," Hoiberg said in a statement. "He will force double teams in there against a lot of teams because of how strong he is. He can bench press 340 pounds and 185 pounds 22 times. He's a strong, physical kid with huge hands."
White also has big goals, and for now has some stats to feel good about as well in advance of his long-awaited debut.
UPDATE: ABC5 in Des Moines/Ames has a video feature on White, his summer league exploits and how he learned piano during his time away from the game.