Former NBA player Royce White won the Minnesota Republican Party’s Senate primary on Tuesday, securing 38.5% of the vote. White, who gained fame as a college basketball star at Iowa State, was drafted 16th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Despite a promising start, White’s NBA career was short-lived. After playing only a few games in the league, he spent time in the G League and with the London Lightning, a team that no longer exists. White also played in the Big 3 league and later ventured into mixed martial arts.
In the Senate primary, White outpaced Joe Fraser, who received just over 29% of the vote. White’s background includes high school basketball success in Minnesota, which may have contributed to his local support.
White has been a controversial figure, with his past comments on women and his political stances drawing criticism. His association with Steve Bannon, recently jailed for defying a congressional subpoena, has also sparked controversy.
White will now face incumbent Amy Klobuchar in the upcoming general election for the U.S. Senate.
