The NBA can 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 struggles with mental health, challenging the idea that success and money protect against hardship. In a stark reminder of the importance of mental health support in sports, a recently posted video from an ex-NBA star on social media sparked widespread concerns. But he found an NBA friend from whom he could get help.

Former NBA player Kyle Singler recently acquired his Instagram to post about the struggles he has faced. In the video, the former Duke standout appeared almost unrecognizable as he described his experiences with abuse.

“So I have to make an announcement because I feel like my voice has been silenced again. And every day it is thrown my way and my community is deceived. I have been mistreated, abused, neglected, made into a mental example and I fear for my life. Every day,Singler said in the video.

As Singler made disturbing statements, Kevin Love quickly intervened, expressing his concerns and urging Singler to seek help, commenting: “I love you Kyle. Hit me anytime. Please.”

Kyle Singler’s journey in the NBA started off promisingly. Drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2011 with the 33rd overall pick, the 6-foot-4 small forward out of Duke University was known for his shooting and basketball IQ. Singler entered the league after a successful college career, where he averaged 16.9 points per game in his senior season and won the 2010 NCAA championship with Duke. However, he immediately switched to the Spanish basketball league, joining the team CB Lucentum Alicante of the Liga ACB. ,

The small forward rejoined the Detroit Pistons in the 2012-2013 season. In his rookie NBA season, Singler put up solid numbers, averaging 8.8 points, 4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game, showing glimpses of his potential as a reliable role player. Singler spent three seasons with the Pistons before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015.

Although his stats dropped slightly to 3.2 points per game in three seasons with the Thunder, 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 abroad in 2018 to play with Spanish team Obradoiro in the Liga ACB. In 2019, Singler retired from professional basketball completely, marking an untimely end to a once-promising career.

The dialogue that Love’s response has sparked underscores the need for continued mental health advocacy in professional sports. Singler’s video may have been a cry for help, but it is also a reminder that support systems, both professional and personal, are essential for anyone facing hardship. And as previously mentioned, 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 leading advocate for mental health awareness, using his own experiences to create change. His journey began publicly in 2018, after he opened up about suffering a panic attack during a competition, an experience that highlighted the pressure athletes face. “After half time it all went against the fan. Coach Lue called a timeout in the third quarter. When I arrived at the bank, I felt my heart beating faster than normal. Then I had trouble catching my breath. It’s hard to describe, but everything was spinning, as if my brain was trying to climb out of my head. The air felt thick and heavy,Love said during an interview.

One of his most important steps was seeking professional therapy, which he openly endorses as essential for managing anxiety and depression. Love has emphasized that talking to a licensed therapist has helped him develop coping mechanisms and better understand his mental health. “The Cavs helped me find a therapist, and I made an appointment. I have to stop here and just say, I’m the last person who would have thought I would go to a therapist… He (the therapist) felt like the NBA wasn’t the main reason I was there that day, which turned out to be refreshing,Love said during the same podcast.

In addition to his personal practices, Love founded the Kevin Love Fund in 2018, an organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, especially among youth. Over the years, the organization has done much for the community, such as on April 26, 2020, the Kevin Love Fund sent a truckload of lunches to staff at the Cleveland Clinic’s Medical Intensive Care Unit and COVID-19 testing sites, and appeared by FaceTime to personally thank the healthcare workers there. Love’s transparency and advocacy continue to play an important role in breaking the stigma around mental health, inspiring athletes and individuals alike to prioritize their mental health.