Anxiety made ex-NBA player Tyrell Terry resent basketball

• Tyrell Terry mental health is just an opener into the struggle NBA players go through
• There are various reasons that plunge players into anxiety
• One of them is the expectation of performance

Tyrell Terry mental health is just an opener into the struggle NBA players and other players go through.

There are various reasons that plunge players into anxiety and one of them is the expectation of performance. As an NBA player, he was always under intense pressure to perform exceptionally. His team, coach, media and fans always demanded so much.

Coupled with social media expectations, anxiety comes in. Players are always in the spotlight and the world of social media is a delicate one. Scrutiny and negative publicity only bring so much strain that Tyrell Terry mental health knows better.

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH TYRELL TERRY?

Tyrell Terry. Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images

Terry announced his retirement from playing basketball citing anxiety induced by a sport that he no longer enjoys playing. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he spoke of his beautiful moments in the NBA and his struggle now.

“Today I decided to let go of the game that has formed a large part of my identity. Something that has guided my path since I took my first steps,” read a part of the post.

He added: “While I have achieved amazing accomplishments, created unforgettable memories, and made lifelong friends…I’ve also experienced the darkest times of my life. To the point where instead of building me up, it began to destroy me. Where I began to despise and question the value of myself, much more than those surrounding me could ever see or know.”

His description of low moments expressly explains the depth of Tyrell Terry mental health.

WHAT BASKETBALL PLAYER RETIRED DUE TO ANXIETY?

Terry also talked about his physical health taking a beating due to frequent episodes of anxiety that made him lose interest in basketball. He describes the moments leading up to anxiety episodes as those punctuated by nausea, intrusive thinking and difficulty in breathing.

For this, he feels drained and without the power to keep fighting anymore which informed his decision to call it a day at NBA.

“Intrusive thoughts, waking up nauseous, and finding myself struggling to take normal breaths because of the rock that would sit on my chest that seemed to weigh more than I could carry. This is just a brief description of the anxiety this sport has caused me, and while I’m grateful for every door it has opened for me, I can’t continue this fight any longer for something I have fallen out of love with.”

Tyrell Terry. Photo/Dallas Mavericks

HOW MUCH DID TYRELL TERRY GET PAID?

Think of Tyrell Terry mental health with an annual salary of $1,782,621. The anxiety pushed his mind to resent the NBA.  He played in just 11 games for the Dallas Mavericks during his first season, spending the majority of them in the NBA’s G League for development. He temporarily signed with the Memphis Grizzlies before being released prior to the 2021/22 season.

Additionally, Terry told SI.com that he spoke to his parents of other athletes who were going through comparable circumstances and had received support and encouragement. He is back at Stanford and he is readying to play club soccer.