While the NBA ushers in its revamped mental health policy, many young talents who aspire to join the league are being proactive in preparation for the avalanche of attention, pressure and conflict that awaits them. Some, like Trae Young, are going to need it. "I've got a bull's-eye on my back, and I haven't even been to training camp yet," he says.
Read MoreIt's not really the number of games, but the lack of consistent, sustained time off that wears down WNBA players who also compete overseas. An NBA player might compete in 100 games in a season if his team has a long playoff run. But even NBA players with the longest possible season have late June to late September to recuperate before training camp starts again. Plus, they have charter flights, the best in nutrition and technology, and multimillion-dollar contracts.
Read MoreI go watch literally thousands of players each year and (watch) how they communicate with their body language when they're sitting on the bench, how they communicate with their body language with their coach when he talks to them. Those things are very important, and what they do is portray what kind of person that player is.
Read MoreMany athletes will spend countless hours working on their physical shape, but will never take the time to build mental strength. Therefore, it will be very difficult to make it through real life situations and in-game moments that require a resilient mindset.
Read MoreNBA star Steph Curry called it “the greatest comeback story in sports,” while tennis legend Serena Williams said she “was in tears” and said it was [greatness like no other].
Read MoreIn his 1972 autobiography, he said: “I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a black man in a white world.” These are words that professional athletes like Colin Kaepernick used as inspiration for their own controversial anthem protests during NFL games in 2017.
Read More“I am more proud of the man you have become than the basketball player. You are bigger than basketball.” - Mother of Dwayne Wade
Read More"The fact that inequality is built so deeply into so many of our most trusted institutions is wrong. And I believe it’s the responsibility of anyone on the privileged end of those inequalities to help make things right.”
Read More“Your phone will always be there, your friends will always be there, notifications, all that stuff, will always be there in the morning,” he says. “Just get some rest.” So you can cut down the nets.
Read MoreMental health isn’t just an athlete thing. What you do for a living doesn’t have to define who you are. This is an everyone thing. No matter what our circumstances, we’re all carrying around things that hurt — and they can hurt us if we keep them buried inside…”
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