Alarms go off on social networks. Kyle Singler, former Real Madrid basketball player, has published several videos that have not gone unnoticed by anyone. In them you can see the former player visibly affected, shirtless and very deteriorated. Without a trace of that forward who one day dazzled the white club and the entire world. Furthermore, the message it has transmitted has worried many: “I fear for my life”. He has also confessed that he was mistreated and abused.
The one who was an outstanding forward in the ACB, added to his steps in teams such as Lucentum Alicante, Monbus Obradoiro and Iberostar Tenerife, confesses to feeling trapped in a distressing situation. “I need to make a statement because I feel like my voice is being silenced. Every day they throw shit in my path. I have been mistreated and abused. My community is screwed. They have turned me into a thought experiment and I fear for my life. Every day I look the other way as someone who could be a problem and make things difficult for people, when I’m just trying to be helpful. I feel like there is a purpose for not valuing or respecting me,” he says in the video. This revelation comes five years after his retirement from professional basketball, when he decided to end his career in 2019 after his final season in Tenerife.
The reaction in the basketball world was immediate. Kevin LoveMiami Heat player and Singler’s former teammate, was one of the first to send a message of support through the social network X. “To everyone who has spent time with Kyle Singler and whose lives he has touched: please , fill him with all the love and support he needs and deserves. I wouldn’t be who I am today without him. I am eternally indebted to him and I love him. To the NBA family, the Duke BB family and the South Medford community: let’s support one of our own”Love asked, stressing the importance of supporting one of your own. In addition, he highlighted Singler’s positive influence on his own life, and declared himself “eternally indebted” to him.
Support for Singler has extended beyond Love. Andre Drummond, center of the Philadelphia 76ers, also expressed his solidarity with a firm “you are not alone, brother”. Isaiah Thomas, a former All-Star known for his perseverance and competitive spirit, declared, “We are here for you, now and always,” highlighting his colleagues’ willingness to provide support during these difficult times.
During his career, Singler was admired in both the United States and Europe. Trained at Duke University, his talent was reflected in his success in the NCAA before making the leap to the NBA and, later, to the Spanish league. In 2012, he was part of the Real Madrid team that won the ACB Cup, marking a high point in his professional career. After his time in the NBA, he returned to Spain, where he played until his final retirement. With the support of his former teammates and the attention of the sports community, it is hoped that Kyle Singler will receive the necessary help to overcome this difficult stage and find peace of mind. Her story is a reminder of the power of community to make a difference in an individual’s life when they need it most.
