Young point guard Tyrell Terry (13 NBA games since his draft in 2020) announced on social networks his choice to retire from the world of basketball, citing reasons related to his anxiety. A new episode that shows the impact that high-level sport can have on mental health.
In recent years, several players referenced in the NBA – we think in particular of Kevin Love or DeMar DeRozan – have spoken publicly on the issue of mental health. Indeed, the general public tends to forget that behind the players and the stars they adore every night, there are above all human beings with their personal history, their doubts and their anxieties. This time, it was the young 22-year-old player Tyrell Terry who spoke, announcing for his part a radical decision: that of leaving the middle of the orange ball.
The leader who went to Stanford University gives himself in a long letter published on his Instagram account to discuss the reasons for his choice, highlighting in particular his anxiety as well as the pressure of the performance which will have ended up making him lose his love for the game. As a reminder, Terry was drafted in 31st position by the Dallas Mavericks in 2020, before going through the G League box to then sign with the Memphis Grizzlies at the end of 2021. Cut by the Tennessee franchise last July, he was since free agent.
“Basketball has allowed me to accomplish wonderful things, to create unforgettable memories, to make friends for life. But it also took me through the darkest times of my life, to a point where instead of building me up, it started to tear me down.
Intrusive thoughts, nauseous awakenings, difficulty in breathing normally because of this weight which became heavier and heavier, here is a quick description of the anxiety caused by this sport.
Even though I’m grateful for all the doors this sport has opened for me, I can’t fight any longer for something I don’t love anymore.
A lot of things are waiting for me in this world, and I’m very excited to explore it. And for the first time, I have the opportunity to find my identity through something other than basketball.”
These are some of the very strong terms used by the now ex-player to express the distress he felt in his practice of basketball, but also his hope to move forward despite this difficult break with his lifelong passion.
Inevitably, such an announcement once once more raises the question of the management of the mental health of the players. In an ever more publicized NBA, in the age of social networks where many things can be said without any real filter, what regarding the psychological well-being of these players?
In recent years, the word of NBA players has been released concerning mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression. On the sidelines of the start of the season, DeMar DeRozan spoke once once more in JJ Redick’s podcast regarding the pressure inherent in life as a top athlete, while Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke regarding the importance of rest – both physical and psychological – during Media Day. Since 2018 and the testimonies of DeRozan and Kevin Love, the NBA has paid particular attention to mental health issues, which has notably set up an assistance program for players in need (which is independent of the franchises) while raising awareness among the managers of the various teams, most of whom now have full-time psychologists.
However, while topics such as anxiety and depression are increasingly discussed in the Big League ecosystem, and even sports in general, the fact remains that players continue to suffer. silently. Tyrell Terry was therefore one of them, and preferred to move away from this world.
