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Does the NBA do enough to support players' mental health, or is it all just lip service?

The NBA may be an arena for competition, talent, and fame. But it’s also a setting where the mental toll of life in the spotlight is often laid bare. Players like DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, and even Kaleb Joseph have famously opened up about their battles with mental health, challenging the notion that success and money shield against hardship. In a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health support in sports, a recently posted concerning video of an ex-NBA Star on social media sparked widespread worry. But he found one NBA friend to get help from.

The former NBA player Kyle Singler, recently took to his Instagram to post about the struggles that he has been facing. In the video, the former Duke standout appeared almost unrecognizable as he detailed experiences of mistreatment.

So I need to make, just an announcement, ’cause I feel like my voice is again silenced. And everyday s–t is being thrown my way and my community f—-ed. I’ve been mistreated, ab–ed, neglected, made into a mental example and I fear for my life. Everyday,” said Singler in the video.

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As Singler shared troubling statements, Kevin Love quickly stepped in, expressing his concern and urging Singler to reach out for help with the comment, “I love you Kyle. Hit me whenever. Please.

 

 

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Kyle Singler’s journey in the NBA began with some promise. Drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2011 with the 33rd overall pick, the 6-foot-8 small forward out of Duke was known for his shooting and basketball IQ. In his successful college career, he averaged 16.9 points per game in his final season and won the NCAA Championship with the Blue Devils in 2010. However, he immediately moved to the Spanish Basketball league and joined the team CB Lucentum Alicante of the Liga ACB.

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Does the NBA do enough to support players' mental health, or is it all just lip service?

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The small forward again joined the Detroit Pistons in the 2012-2013 season. In his rookie NBA season, Singler put up decent numbers, averaging 8.8 points and 4 rebounds per game, showing glimpses of his potential as a reliable role player. He spent three seasons with the Pistons before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015.

Although his stats with the Thunder dipped to 3.2 points per game over three seasons, he remained a versatile player off the bench, known for his work ethic and positive influence in the locker room. However, by the end of his contract with the Thunder, Singler had faded from the NBA spotlight, eventually moving overseas in 2018 to play with Spanish team Obradoiro in the Liga ACB. In 2019, Singler retired from professional basketball altogether, marking an early end to a once-promising career.

The dialogue that Love’s response has opened up highlights the need for continued mental health advocacy in professional sports. Singler’s video may have been a cry for help, but it also serves as a reminder that support systems, both professional and personal, are essential for anyone facing hardship. As mentioned before, Love has been quite active in helping other players.

Kevin Love’s measures for mental health

In recent years, NBA star Kevin Love has emerged as a significant advocate for mental health awareness, using his own experiences to inspire change. His journey began publicly in 2018 after he opened up about suffering a panic attack during a game, an experience that highlighted the pressures athletes face.

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After halftime, it all hit the fan. Coach Lue called a timeout in the third quarter. When I got to the bench, I felt my heart racing faster than usual. Then I was having trouble catching my breath. It’s hard to describe, but everything was spinning, like my brain was trying to climb out of my head. The air felt thick and heavy,” said Love during an interview.

One of his primary steps has been seeking professional therapy, which he openly endorses as essential for managing anxiety and depression. Love has emphasized that talking to a licensed therapist helped him develop coping mechanisms and understand his mental health better.

The Cavs helped me find a therapist, and I set up an appointment. I gotta stop right here and just say: I’m the last person who’d have thought I’d be seeing a therapist… He [the therapist] had a sense that the NBA wasn’t the main reason I was there that day, which turned out to be refreshing,” said Love during the same podcast.

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In addition to his personal practices, Love established the Kevin Love Fund in 2018, an organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, especially for young people. Over the years, the organization has done a lot for the community. For instance, on April 26, 2020, The Kevin Love Fund sent a truckload of lunches to the staff of the Cleveland Clinic’s Medical Intensive Care Unit and its COVID-19 testing sites and appeared by FaceTime to personally thank the healthcare workers there.

Love’s transparency and advocacy continue to be instrumental in breaking the stigma around mental health, inspiring athletes and individuals alike to prioritize their mental health. Hopefully, the same will work out for Kyle Singler as well.

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