NBA: Okafor talks about mental problems

Jahlil Okafor is hoping for a new start to his disappointing career at the New Orleans Pelicans. The former No.3 pick has already made a new start on another level.

Okafor published an image of his body on Instagram to show how he got fit this summer to fight for his NBA future. In the associated post, the Big Man also talked about his mental health.

Okafor wrote that he had learned to deal with stressors and anxiety, and that he would spend the rest of his life working to advance the fight against mental problems. He also thanked Kevin Love, who published an essay on his own anxiety to the Player’s Tribune last season.

“I want to thank Kevin Love for helping me identify my feelings and showing me that what I was dealing with was normal,” Okafor wrote. In addition to Love, DeMar DeRozan, Kelly Oubre and Steven Adams broke the taboo last season and talked about mental problems.

Okafor recently signed a two-year contract with the Pelicans, but only guaranteed for $50,000. The 22-year-old was promoted to position 3 by the Sixers in 2015, but last season he only made a total of 28 appearances for Philadelphia and the Brooklyn Nets.