Ex-NBA Player Royce White Secures GOP Senate Nomination in Minnesota, Prepares to Face Amy Klobuchar

Royce White, a former NBA player, has won the Republican Senate primary in Minnesota, setting the stage for a high-profile challenge against incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in the upcoming November elections. White’s victory over Navy veteran Joe Fraser marks a significant milestone in his evolving political career.

White is no stranger to the political arena, having previously attempted to unseat Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in 2022. However, his campaign ended in a primary defeat. Since then, White has attracted considerable controversy for making derogatory remarks about women, Jewish people, and the LGBT community, along with promoting conspiracy theories and facing allegations of misusing campaign funds.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, White’s athletic talents were recognized early on. He was named Mr. Basketball in Minnesota in 2009 and was selected 16th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. However, his rookie season was derailed by a fear of flying and other mental health issues, which led to a conflict with the team. As a result, White never played for the Rockets, though he did have a brief stint with their G League affiliate.

In 2013, White was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, but his tenure with the team ended before it began, as he was waived without ever playing a game. He later signed a series of 10-day contracts with the Sacramento Kings, appearing in three games but failing to make a significant impact, recording only one missed shot and two fouls.

After his short-lived NBA career, White found success in the Canadian NBL, where he was named MVP in 2017. He also competed in the BIG3, a 3-on-3 basketball league, and even ventured into mixed martial arts, though he lost his only professional fight in 2021.

As Election Day approaches on November 5th, the race between Royce White and Klobuchar is set to draw significant attention. Klobuchar, who has held the Senate seat since 2007, will now face a challenger who has transitioned from sports to a controversial political figure.