Mental health has become one of the most important conversations in modern sport, and the NBA has played a significant role in changing attitudes. While elite basketball players are often admired for their physical ability and competitive mindset, many have shown that even the world’s best athletes can experience anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health challenges like addiction.
By speaking openly about their experiences, several NBA stars have helped challenge outdated stereotypes that equate vulnerability with weakness. Their honesty around seeking help or going through treatment for ketamine addiction or alcoholism has encouraged fans, fellow athletes and young people to seek support when they need it, while also highlighting the close relationship between mental health, performance and overall wellbeing.
Here are five stars that have spoken out and are de-stigmatising mental health…
Kevin Love
Few players have had as much impact on the mental health conversation as Kevin Love. The former NBA champion revealed that he experienced a panic attack during a game in 2017, prompting him to examine his own mental wellbeing.
Rather than keeping the experience private, Love wrote openly about it, explaining how years of trying to appear strong had prevented him from discussing his emotions. His honesty sparked widespread discussion throughout the sporting world and encouraged many athletes to share similar experiences.
Love has since become a leading advocate for mental health awareness through the Kevin Love Fund, which focuses on emotional wellbeing, education and creating healthier communities. His work has helped demonstrate that asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness.
DeMar DeRozan
When DeMar DeRozan posted a simple message on social media stating, “This depression gets the best of me,” it became a turning point in the NBA’s mental health conversation.
As one of the league’s biggest stars, his willingness to publicly acknowledge depression challenged long-standing perceptions that elite athletes are immune to mental health struggles.
DeRozan has continued to speak openly about the importance of therapy and emotional wellbeing, encouraging others to prioritise their mental health in the same way they would a physical injury.
His openness has resonated with countless fans, particularly young men who may otherwise feel reluctant to discuss their own mental health.
Paul George
After suffering a devastating leg injury in 2014, Paul George‘s physical recovery was well documented. Less visible, however, was the psychological challenge of returning to elite competition.
George has since spoken about experiencing anxiety and depression, particularly during the isolated environment of the NBA’s pandemic “bubble” in 2020.
By discussing the pressures of elite performance, public criticism and mental fatigue, George highlighted that professional athletes can experience emotional challenges regardless of their success.
His willingness to seek professional support has helped normalise therapy within professional sport.
Royce White
Although his NBA playing career was relatively short, Royce White became one of the earliest professional basketball players to speak publicly about living with anxiety disorders.
White was particularly open about his fear of flying, which significantly affected his professional career and brought attention to the importance of accommodating mental health conditions in elite sport.
While his relationship with the league was often challenging, White’s advocacy helped spark wider discussions about how sporting organisations should support athletes with diagnosed mental health conditions.
His experiences contributed to conversations that have since led to greater awareness throughout professional basketball.
CJ McCollum
As both an accomplished NBA player and former President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), CJ McCollum has consistently advocated for better mental health resources for players.
McCollum has spoken about the pressures created by constant travel, media scrutiny, injuries and maintaining peak performance throughout an 82-game season. He has also supported initiatives that encourage players to access counselling and psychological support without fear of judgement.
His leadership has reinforced the idea that mental wellbeing should be treated as an essential part of every athlete’s overall health.