The Mental Game: NBA Players DeRozan, Love, and Jordan Prioritize Mental Health
Over the past several years, many NBA players have been utilizing their social media platforms and community initiatives to have conversations about mental health. In the past, this certainly was not addressed in professional sports settings, yet players like Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan, and DeAndre Jordan are leading conversations around the importance of mental health and wellness. During May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, these three veteran athletes reflect on how their relationship with their mental health and well-being has evolved throughout their careers.
Back in 2018, DeMar DeRozan opened up about his experiences with depression. He began his journey as a mental health advocate with authenticity and honesty, which led to conversations around well-being with other NBA athletes. He started a show titled Dinners with DeMar where he talked about mental health with other NBA players like Damian Lillard and Chris Paul.
Despite many of the high-pressure moments throughout the NBA season, DeRozan still finds peace in the game of basketball itself. He refers to it as a sanctuary that goes back to his childhood. 'Basketball gave me the freedom to go out and decompress,' he explains. 'There's a peace between those four lines—that's how I approach the game and how I find clarity.'
Maintaining perspective is what helps him navigate the highs and lows of the season. 'There are going to be peaks and valleys, but the way you approach those moments keeps you consistent.' When asked about the resources he's utilized to maintain his mental health and well-being, he credits many of his trusted coaches and teammates who took the time to connect with him about life, beyond the game of basketball.
What mental wellness routine does he maintain today? DeRozan is a fan of daily cold plunges and sauna, and using different means of physical recovery to enhance his mental recovery as well. Mental and physical health are truly intertwined in many ways. 'Sometimes you feel better mentally just by taking care of your body physically,' DeRozan explains.
DeMar DeRozan and Brook Choulet, M.D.
Kevin Love has been one of the most prominent voices in the NBA on mental health. Back in 2018, he shared his struggles with anxiety after he experienced a panic attack during an NBA game. Since he publicly shared his story, he has played a pivotal role in normalizing mental health challenges in professional sports. Not only did Love raise awareness, but he also proceeded to live a life with daily self-care as well as taking action in the community.
'Taking care of my mental health isn't something you do reactively,' says Love. 'It has to be part of your everyday routine.' Off the court, Love has embraced new life transitions, such as being a father. 'It brought clarity to what really matters…I want my children to know that strength includes vulnerability and that expressing emotion is healthy.'
Many players struggle with the transition from the daily grind of the NBA season to the off-season where there can be an abundance of downtime. Love speaks to his approach to the offseason and identifies it as a time for intentional rest. In addition to spending time with his family, he uses this time to engage in his nonprofit, the Kevin Love Fund, where he strives to help the next generation of athletes learn tools to help them thrive in the long run. Love says it best: 'Sometimes, the best recovery isn't doing more, it's learning how to just be for a bit.'
This month, the Kevin Love Fund launched a free, evidence-based mental health curriculum for middle school through college-aged athletes. There are many skills taught to the student-athletes through the program such as tools for performance anxiety, emotional expression, and identity development.
Love is passionate about helping other athletes recognize that their worth is not simply defined by their sport. 'I spent years thinking my only value came from basketball,' Love reflects. On the court, his mindset has shifted since becoming a father. 'I still want to compete and win, but I don't carry losses the same way—I carry love home with me, and that's grounding,' reflects Love.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 15: Kevin Love #42 of the Miami Heat against theIndiana Pacers at ... More Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 15, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
DeAndre Jordan, who plays for the NBA's Denver Nuggets, is deep in a playoff run right now. He truly understands the added pressure that the post-season brings with it. What's Jordan's secret to maintaining clarity? He prioritizes focus: not by doing more but by filtering out the noise. Especially during the playoffs, Jordan notes, 'Eliminating a lot of outside noise daily is vital…hyper-focus has to be there during playoff games.'
Another key to his success revolves around removing social media. 'I tend to eliminate social media during this time [playoffs] along with watching sports news and coverage on the playoffs,' says Jordan. He remains very routine-oriented, with a specific structure to his game days. 'The most important part of my mental prep on game days is relaxation and visualization,' reflects Jordan. He meditates and relaxes with his family, focusing on the present moment, rather than what's to come during the game. Jordan truly trusts the process and believes in the preparation he's done leading up to these high-pressure situations. 'I have prepared myself mentally and physically as best as I can for this moment of the season,' says Jordan.
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 13: DeAndre Jordan #6 and Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets ... More smile after a play in the second half against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena on December 13, 2024, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
These insights from DeRozan, Love, and Jordan highlight progress in the NBA, as mental health is no longer a silent struggle in professional sports. Their leadership is setting the stage for more athletes to speak out and normalize these conversations, shifting the narrative toward valuing mental wellness as an essential part of overall athletic performance.
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