FULE–Tyrell Terry #1 of the Dallas Mavericks. John McCoy/Getty Images/AFP
Tyrell Terry, the Dallas Mavericks’ 2020 NBA Draft pick, announced his retirement at the age of 22 in an Instagram post, saying that basketball has provided “the darkest time of my life.”
After a stellar college career at Stanford, the guard was selected 31st overall by the Mavericks, first pick of the second round, in the 2020 draft.
But Terry only played 13 NBA games, 11 games for the Mavs in the 2020-21 campaign and two games last season for the Memphis Grizzlies. He was absent for an extended period of his rookie season due to personal reasons and was made his debut in pre-season training camp last year.
He cited mental health issues for giving up on his longtime NBA dream.
“This message is a very difficult one to share and an emotional one to write,” Terry wrote.
“Today I decided to give up the game that has formed a large part of my identity. Something has guided my path since I took my first steps.
“Although I have achieved amazing achievements, made unforgettable memories and made lifelong friends… but I have also experienced some of the darkest times of my life. To the point where instead of building me up, it started to destroy me.”
Terry said he’s looking forward to discovering “my identity outside of being a basketball player” and said the anxiety the sport causes for him means “I can’t continue.” continue this fight for something I’ve fallen out of love with.”
Terry said the pressure of trying to get into the NBA took his toll.
“I began to despise and question my worth, more than the people around me could see or know,” Terry wrote.
“Intrusive thoughts, waking up nauseous and finding myself short of breath normally because the rock on my chest seemed heavier than I could carry.”
Terry said he accepts that he will “forever be branded as bankrupt, a failure, or a waste of talent,” but added that “the biggest failures in life lead to the biggest successes.
“There’s so much more to me in this big world and I’m so excited to be able to explore that.”
Terry apologizes to those he has let down but claims he is on a new path – “a path that will hopefully lead to happiness and being able to love myself again”.
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