Former NBA player and Duke basketball star Kyle Singler said he “fear[s] for his life every day” in an Instagram video he posted on Tuesday, sparking support from the basketball community.
In the video, 36-year-old Singler was shirtless and speaking slowly as he claimed he felt like his voice was “again silenced.”
“I have been mistreated and abused, neglected, made into a mental example,” Singler said. “And I fear for my life every day. And people in my community make me look out as if I’m going to be someone that’s going to be a problem and make things difficult for people when I’m only trying to be helpful.”
“I feel like I have a certain way about myself and strength and purpose that does not get valued or get treated properly,” he continued.
The video ended abruptly after about 90 seconds, but has been shared almost 12,000 times as of Wednesday afternoon.
It garnered an outpouring of support from the basketball world, including from Miami Heat forward Kevin Love, Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond and former NBA forward Chandler Parsons, among others.
Love said on X, “To everyone who has spent time with Kyle Singler and whose lives he has touched — please shower him with the love and support he needs+deserves. I would not be who I am today without him. I am forever indebted and love him.”
“You aren’t alone brother! I’m here for you,” said Drummond.
Parsons posted on X, “HELP @NBA @TheNBPA. @KyleSingler needs you. we’re with you buddy.”
Singler posted two additional video messages following his original. The second one mirrored many of Singler’s comments from his first video, while he was “sending prayer and gratitude” in the third.
“Never sacrifice who you are, lead with your heart, follow your gut, trust your intuition,” he said.
Singler was on Duke’s 2010 national championship team and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. He was the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 draft and played three seasons for the Detroit Pistons, who drafted him. Singler was on the All-Rookie second team in 2013 and played parts of four seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN.
