Tyrell Terry, the 31st overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, has announced his retirement from basketball.
The 22-year-old took to his Instagram to make the announcement. In a post shared on Thursday, he discussed how anxiety had crippled his love for the sport.
“Today I decided to let go of the game that has formed a large part of my identity. Something that has guided my path since I took my first steps. While I have achieved amazing accomplishments, created unforgettable memories, and made lifelong friends…I’ve also experienced the darkest times of my life. To the point where instead of building me up, it began to destroy me. Where I began to despise and question the value of myself, much more than those surrounding me could ever see or know. 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. 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.”
Tyrell Terry was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks at number 31 in the 2020 NBA Draft. He went on to play 11 games in his rookie season before taking a months-long personal leave. He returned to the team early for preseason in the season that followed, before another personal absence. He was released by the Mavericks in October 2021.
He had not played a game this season prior to his retirement announcement.
