Kevin Love is one of the most courageous players in the NBA. The 2016 NBA Champion with the Cavs is a strong and passionate advocate for mental health, often talking about his personal struggles with the same.

Kevin Love recently sat down with Graham Basinger to talk about a whole host of subjects. Basinger asked Love about his struggles with depression, even asking about suicidal thoughts he had when he was the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Love gave a very candid answer, saying, “The future started to feel meaningless. And when it gets to the point where you lose hope, that’s when the only thing you can think about is, ‘How can I make this pain go away?’

“I don’t think I have to say much more than that.”

Love also spoke about how his struggles are often with regards to how he copes with his achievements. “I’ve obviously had days that I really do struggle, I suffer a lot from impostor theory, as well.

“Like, I sometimes don’t feel deserving. I don’t feel like I’m worthy of what I’ve accomplished, or the success I’ve had, and a lot of times I feel like a fraud because I don’t feel like I’ve achieved enough.”

Kevin Love became a barrier-breaker

Love became a trailblazer for athletes, being one of the first few to speak about mental health so openly. He discussed how his honesty paved the way for other players to ask for help.

“I talked to a number of players, you know, that was actually reaching out for help or trying to get with the team therapist that everybody has on the team…

“And you know, thankfully, not only at (the Kevin Love Fund) but through the NBA (Players Association), we kind of have the resources now.”

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He also discussed the struggles players may have had in the recent NBA Bubble, being away from their families for extended periods of time.

“You know what therapy’s like, ‘Hey listen, I’m open to it, this has been a tough time for me, I’m away from my family.’ Because they weren’t to even have family members until I believe, seven weeks in.

“It’s only one person, people missed their kids. You know, not able to go home. And it was taking a toll not only on the physical component but really from a mental side, too.”

Love has been a shining example in the sports world of how to tackle the issue of mental health. His courage continues to inspire millions of people around the world to come forward and speak their truth.

Hopefully, he continues his spectacular work in this field.