Kyle Singler, a Duke Blue Devils legend and former Oklahoma City Thunder player, recently took to social media to share his emotional struggles following his exit from basketball and the way he has been treated by his community since then.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the 36-year-old ex-professional basketball player opened up about his post-career life and how the trajectory of his career has affected him in recent years. He revealed that he has faced mental health challenges linked to how others perceive him, which has negatively impacted his self-image.
“I have been mistreated, abused, neglected, and turned into a case study for mental health,” he expressed, adding that he fears for his life daily. He described feeling like his community views him as a potential troublemaker, despite his intentions to be helpful. He articulated that he possesses qualities of strength and purpose that are not recognized or treated as they should be.
Singler’s struggles underscore the difficulties many professional athletes encounter when transitioning out of their sport, particularly those who may not have had a widely celebrated career like his.
Several NBA players, including Kevin Love, Isaiah Thomas, and Andre Drummond, showed their support for Kyle, offering encouragement and a listening ear.
From College Star to Early Retirement
Kyle Singler began his career as a promising college athlete, pivotal in leading the Duke Blue Devils to further achievement. He played a crucial role in Duke’s NCAA Division I Championship win in 2010 and was named the Most Outstanding Player, solidifying his legacy in both Duke and college basketball.
After college, Singler entered the NBA, being selected as the 33rd overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft. Despite his successful college background and high expectations in the NBA, he struggled to make a significant impact in the league. He was eventually traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he played for three seasons but was often underutilized, with some games leaving him on the bench for eight outings and seeing only about 60 seconds of playing time. His NBA career came to an end when the Thunder waived him in 2018.
Subsequently, Singler played for several teams in the Spanish basketball league until 2019. He officially announced his retirement from basketball on October 17, 2019.
