Former NBA player Delonte West is among the many athletes who have faced hardships after their professional careers came to an end. Having dealt with severe mental health issues during his playing days, West turned to drug abuse, which eventually resulted in homelessness and even arrest.
In most cases, this would be a tragic tale of another athlete whose career was ruined by substance abuse. However, Delonte West’s story serves as an inspiration, as the former Cleveland Cavaliers guard has turned over a new leaf.
Having battled addiction through sustained efforts and commitment, Delonte West has been sober for almost a year. While this successful endeavor could be attributed to many things, including external support from friends and family, West also attributed it to his basketball discipline. He elaborated on this during an episode of “Rise Above With Kevin Lanning,” stating:
“Once you start having time out for the God of your choice or the programs you’re working on, which includes taking the proper medication, being on time, and showing up. Putting your all into going the extra mile the same way you’re approaching the gym.”
“I’m going to get extra shots up. I’m going to stay here all night. This is going to be a part of my documentary. I’m going to be here all night. They’re going to be like, ‘Man, he was a legend.’ Be a legend in your recovery.”
“That’s what God wants to know,” West added. “Through that, you’re going to see how tough you really are. Sometimes you do drugs and you become the toughest out [there]… You’ve got to start making names up for yourself. So, you start realizing how tough you are. You start being able to handle stuff. When you realize, ‘Hey man, I got through that.’ It don’t get no worse than that, seeing hell every day.”
Before his experiences with substances and before all the abuse, Delonte West was an athlete who loved the game of basketball. While it already demands incredible effort to excel in any sport or discipline, the commitment required to become a professional in it is on a completely different level. Given the single-minded focus such pursuits demand, West simply shifted his focus toward self-improvement, making it a catalyst for his recovery.
For obvious reasons, Delonte West’s commitment to sobriety has had a positive impact on several parts of his life. But most importantly, it has allowed him to be close to his family and be a part of his children’s lives, too. On that note, he shared a word of gratitude for his partners, who supported him along the way.
“[It’s] amazing, man. God has restored and blessed me with three amazing wives in my life: Kimmy, Caressa, and Melissa. These are some of the most amazing people that have come into my life,” he shared. “Every single one of them has been like my superstar in my life during those times and still is, and they need to know nothing was ever wrong.”
West continued by highlighting that people from his past, whether they were high school teammates, coaches, neighborhood friends, or even strangers whom he met briefly, reached out to share a word of encouragement as he continued his journey. Now, as Delonte West closes in on a year of sobriety, the former NBA player expressed gratitude to all those who supported him and stood by his side.