DeMar DeRozan Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles and Shock Following Raptors Trade

DeMar DeRozan is one of the NBA’s strongest advocates for mental health care. The Chicago Bulls star has been open about his struggles with mental health throughout his career. Like many, DeRozan’s life has not been all roses and happiness. It’s been a journey of highs and deep lows, with the camera watching every step along the way.

It’s a dangerous oxymoron, capable of instilling fear into passions. DeRozan is no exception, having previously brought attention to his mental health struggles after tweeting the following during a difficult period in 2018:

This depression get the best of me…

DeRozan has overcome those ups and downs. However, it wasn’t easy. Sharing with Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors in his “Dinner with DeMar” series on YouTube, the six-time All-Star delved into the stressors during his tough times (2018) and other events that destabilized his mental well-being.

Initially, DeRozan had no intention of making bold statements about this issue. He once felt like not getting out of bed, distant from loved ones one night six years ago.

DeRozan said: “I’m laying in bed, it’s 8 o’clock, and I didn’t want to move. I don’t want to do anything, nobody’s around. ‘I didn’t feel anything inside anymore. I just felt drained, mentally, emotionally, just laying there. … Just locked in and laying in the room by myself.”

DeRozan grabbed his phone and sent out a tweet before drifting off to sleep. The next morning, he felt rejuvenated. Fortunately, a storm of support and care from everyone for DeRozan arrived, helping him acknowledge his own existence.

DeRozan said: “I don’t feel weak anymore, I don’t feel helpless anymore because in that moment, it brought me back, I felt more human than ever.”

DeMar DeRozan Reflects on the Shock Following Raptors Trade Challenges and pains frequently occurred throughout DeRozan’s career. He enjoyed his prime years in Toronto, but it ended with becoming a “sacrificial lamb” for the team to acquire Kawhi Leonard and win the NBA championship. Before the trade, DeRozan was the Raptors’ number one star.

Being traded from his beloved club to the San Antonio Spurs was a shock to DeRozan. He shared in a conversation with Green: “It knocked me down. It was a feeling that’s hard to describe, and to this day, I still can’t explain it. It made me search and try to find myself again from a basketball perspective. Feeling doubt creeping in, questioning myself, how long is this going to last?”

The feeling became more severe when other upheavals occurred, one of which was the Covid-19 pandemic. DeRozan’s father was hospitalized due to the pandemic, exacerbating DeRozan’s mental health issues.

But after all, DeRozan has overcome. Now, he has found joy again in basketball and life. A comfortable mindset has helped DeRozan return to his best self, as he is the number one star for the Chicago Bulls and still playing at the highest level, helping the Bulls maintain playoff hopes in the East.

However, DeRozan will not forget those difficult days, the struggles that helped him mature and become as strong as he is today.