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What happened to Kyle Singler? NBA players express concern about former Duke star over alarming Instagram video

The following story addresses mental health and may be disturbing to some readers. If you or someone you know needs support now, call 988, text or chat at 988lifeline.org.

The basketball world is supporting former star Kyle Singler after an alarming post on social media.

Singler posted a short video on Instagram on Tuesday, prompting several former teammates and friends to reach out for support. Heat forward Kevin Love used X (formerly Twitter) to raise awareness of Singler’s situation while also asking the entire community for support.

Here’s what is known about Singler based on the post and reaction of his colleagues.

What happened to Kyle Singler?

Singler posted an alarming 90-second reel to his verified Instagram account on Tuesday. It is currently the only post in the account’s feed.

In the video, Singler stands shirtless in front of a light so that his facial features cannot be seen.

After saying he had to make an announcement, Singler said this:

I feel like my voice is silent and everyday things get in the way.

My community, f—ed. I was mistreated and abused. Neglected, made into a spiritual role model and I fear for my life. Daily. And people in my community give me the impression that I’m a problem and making things difficult for people when I’m just trying to be helpful

And I feel like I have a certain type of self, strength and purpose that isn’t valued or treated appropriately.

The video pauses as Singler completes his final sentence.

Singler returned to Instagram on Tuesday afternoon to post a second video. He states that the video is a sequel to his first one, saying:

I’ve lived in this house for five years and it’s a dump. I went to my community and tried to get my family and friends involved to help me start a new career, start a new life. And everyone made a fool of me.

Creating chaos, creating narratives to make it profitable for people. My life hasn’t changed at all. I am being held hostage in a particular situation and put in the position to create a false narrative about someone again. And people in general, if all I wanted to do is start a business in nature without people feeling like –

Like the first video, Singler’s video stops during his last sentence.

After a successful career at Duke, Singler was selected by the Pistons with the 33rd pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. During the NBA lockout, Singler spent his first professional season in Spain before joining Detroit in 2012. He spent six seasons in the NBA with the Pistons and Thunder before returning to Spain in 2018.

He retired from basketball in 2019 for personal reasons.

NBA players express concern about Kyle Singler

Love is from Oregon and has known Singler for decades. He commented on Singler’s post: “I love you Kyle. Hit me whenever. Please.”

Love later reached out to X (formerly Twitter) to explain this and posted a lengthy message asking the community to reach out to Singler.

12-year NBA veteran Isaiah Thomas is also from the Pacific Northwest. He wrote: “We love you bro!!!” and “Here for you bro! Always and Forever” in two separate comments on the video.

76ers center Andre Drummond spent his first three seasons as Singler’s teammate in Detroit. Drummond commented on Singler’s video: “You’re not alone bro! I’m here for you.”

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