Tyrell Terry, a 2020 NBA draft pick of the Dallas Mavericks, announced his retirement from basketball, citing anxiety.
The 31st pick in the draft stated in an Instagram post that it was “the darkest times” of his life while describing the anxiety basketball caused him.
“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,” Terry said in the post.
“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.”
The Stanford alum played one year for the Cardinal. He was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in his lone season. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He also recorded the top free throw percentage (.891) in the Pac-12.
After being drafted, he played in 11 games for Dallas during his rookie season but was waived in October 2021. Terry then signed with the Memphis Grizzlies and appeared in two games for the team last season before being waived in the offseason.
His message showed Terry’s short career that included photos from his time as a young hooper in his hometown of Minneapolis, then De La Salle High School, Stanford and eventually Dallas.
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Terry’s message explained that while he may be known “as a bust, a failure, or a waste of talent,” he is grateful to those that supported him and apologizes to those he “let down.”
Players like Demar DeRozan and Kevin Love have been outspoken about their mental health in recent years. Together, DeRozan and Love sparked an ongoing conversation that led the NBPA to launch a new mental health and wellness program.
Recently, Terry appeared in 29 games for the Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, and averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Terry concluded, “I am eternally grateful to those who have believed in me and apologize to those that I have let down. But I’m headed down a different path now, one that will hopefully lead to happiness and being able to love myself again.”
