Tyrell Terry Announces Retirement From NBA At 22 Due To Anxiety

In an emotional Instagram post, NBA free agent guard Tyrell Terry, 22, announced his retirement from the NBA due to anxiety and being in the "darkest times of my life." Terry was the No. 31 pick in the 2020 NBA draft from the Dallas Mavericks and in his two years in the league, he played in 11 games with the Mavericks and two with the Memphis Grizzlies.

In the emotional social media post, Terry explains why he's decided to retire from the league at such a young age. "This message is a very difficult one to share and an emotional one to write," he began the caption of carousel of photos showing his basketball journey from an early age. "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."

His caption continued to explain the feelings he's been experiencing and why his decision to leave is what needed to be done. "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," he explained. "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."

The first photo in his carousel of snaps shows Terry, along with other teammates, when he was much younger. The next two photos show him playing basketball through the years. The next slide is just words explaining his thoughts.

Terry's caption continued to explain how he feels people will perceive him after hearing he's retired at 22 and what he's excited about following his retirement. "To most, I will be forever known as a bust, a failure, or a waste of talent. While those may be true when it comes to basketball, it is the biggest failures in life that lead to the greatest success," he wrote. "There is more for me out in this vast world and I am extremely excited to be able to explore that. And for the first time, to be able to find my identity outside of being a basketball player."

He concludes his caption by saying how grateful his is for the people who supported him. "I am eternally grateful to those who have believed in me and apologize to those that I have let down," he wrote. "But I'm headed down a different path now, one that will hopefully lead to happiness and being able to love myself again."

Terry began his NBA career in 2020 with the Mavericks but only played 11 games citing personal reasons at the time, according to Fan Nation, Dallas Basketball. "I was dealing with some mental health stuff that runs in my family," he said. "I wasn't really aware it was creeping up on me; it hit me kind of serious." He was released from the team in October 2021. He later played for the Grizzlies but only played two games in the 2021-2022 season and has not played in any games this season.

Hundreds of fans dropped into the comments of the retirement post on Instagram to leave their supportive messages. Fellow basketball player, Willie Trill Cauley-Stein wrote, "Never a failure broski! You completed the mission. Next one is gonna be even better! 🤘🏾❤️" Theo John, also a basketball player wrote, "Can’t fail your journey! Excited for the next chapter. 🙏🏽🖤" 

Other comments included, "Never a failure. got everybody respect brodie! be you, good to see you happy 🖤🙏🏾," "Congrats on the career, never been a failure, never will be one! Only up from here lil bro, we all got you ✊🏽🖤," "Life is so much bigger than basketball. Find what makes you full❤️," "Grateful to come across you in this journey, and looking forward to seeing the joy that the next path brings 🏝️❤️," as well as many other words of encouragement, understanding, and love.