Near the end of his rocky season, in April 2021, #GoldenStateWarriors center #JamesWiseman learned he had a torn meniscus that required surgery in his right knee. he cried as he sat in the Chase Center garage, struggling to digest the news. Then he cried for several days.
Weisman plunged into a dark place at times over the next fifteen months. He could not play #basketball and his daily life was strenuous: he wore a brace and required crutches, which made it difficult to use the bathroom or shower.
Wiseman also bottled up his emotions, leaving him mired in frustration.
“Just going through my ordeal made me mentally stronger but also had a negative effect on my mind,” he said in a recent interview with Chronicle. I had to go to therapy and express myself. … When you grab onto everything, it kind of rips you off. “
In acknowledging that he needed help, and extolling the benefits of his #therapist sessions, Wiseman joined a growing list of #NBA players to publicly confront #mentalhealthchallenges. From #DeMarDeRozan to #KevinLove to #JohnWall, many notable players have come forward with their stories, prompting the league and the #NationalBasketballPlayersAssociation (#NBPA) to launch programs to protect #mentalhealth and wellness.
Warriors Summer League player #JamesWiseman answers questions in the interview room at Chase Center on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
The #NBA and its players’ unions are now considering a significant step: adding a #mentalhealth rating to its official injury report. This possibility was discussed in collective bargaining talks between the two sides, The Athletic’s Shams Al-Shaaraniyya reported in September.
Warriors head coach #SteveKerr understands the complexities such a move would bring — especially in the age of #socialmedia, which gives every fan a platform — but he still welcomes the possibility.
“The more we normalize (#mentalhealth), the less #stigma and the more comfortable people get the help they need,” Kerr said.
As Kerr recognizes, it’s easy for fans to look at #professionalathletes—dealing with pressure and scrutiny, yes, but also overwhelmed by fame and fortune—and wonder how they can cope with #mentalhealthchallenges. And that helps explain the backlash that 76er-turning #BenSimmons faced last year.
Simmons missed the 2021-22 season due to a back injury and #mentalhealthissues, drawing heavy criticism from the fans. Simmons said, on former teammate JJ Reddick’s podcast in September, that he also didn’t receive support from his coaches in Philadelphia and some of his teammates.
Even Warriors guard #StephenCurry, the often smiling face of the marquee franchise, struggled at times early in his career. Long before he was a four-time #NBA champion and two-time MVP, Curry missed more than 50 games with ankle injuries that called into question his long-term durability.
This will test his #mentalhealth in a profound way.
“I am forever grateful to the circle that surrounded me for keeping tabs on all those years,” Carey told The Chronicle. “You’re away from the game, away from your team, stuck in rehab — your identity is kind of threatened because you can’t do what you love. … Those were definitely tough times.”
The sports world faces a #mentalhealth expense. This story is part of a series looking at the challenges faced by all levels of competition and how to address them.
If you need help
#NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline: Call 800-273-8255 to reach a #counselor at a locally operated crisis center 24 hours a day, free of charge.
Crisis Text Line: Text “Connect” to 741741 to reach a Crisis #Counselor anytime for free.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
