ISU men’s basketball player Royce White was named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year on Thursday.

The award, which was voted on by the coaches of the Big 12 — none of whom could vote for players on their own teams — is considered an honor by White.

“It puts a little bit of pressure on me,” White said. “While it’s an honor and I’m glad and thankful that they would consider me for something like that, my goals are much bigger. The team success is what’s most important to me at this point.”

White, a sophomore from Minneapolis, transferred to Iowa State from the University of Minnesota after his freshman year having never seen the court.

Having sat out all of last season per NCAA transfer rules, White credits his teammates and coaches for helping him get to where he is and preparing him for this season.

“I’ve worked hard, and there’s been a lot of people that have helped me with my game and my development as a basketball player all through my life,” White said. “[This award] is more so an honor for them.”

Most of the Big 12 coaches know him very well. White said he was recruited by schools such as Kansas, Texas, Baylor and others — both as a high school senior, when he was the No. 19-ranked player in the country according to Rivals.com, and when he was transferring away from Minnesota.

“Those coaches know me, and they respect me — as I do them,” White said. “But I know when it comes time [for] game time, there will be no friendships.”

White was also an Honorable Mention for First team All-Big 12, along with teammate Chris Allen.