The following comments by former Duke national champion and NBA player for the New Orleans Pelicans, Jahlil Okafor, come from multiple sources, notably an April 4, 2019 article in NOLA.com titled "How Jahlil Okafor went from a ‘dark place’ to being happy again." Jahlil authorized Dr. Murray to release this information to discuss his growth and to be inspiration for others to seek out help too.
Jahlil's sought out Dr. Murray last summer in Miami. "Once Okafor started to see a therapist," the article points out, "things changed ... likened to a '100-pound bag' being taken off Okafor’s back."
Okafor added, "I was in a dark place, man ... I looked at myself in the mirror and knew I not only had to get my body right but my mind right. I went straight to Miami and changed my diet and worked out. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I started talking to a therpaist (clinical and sports psychologist Dr. John F. Murray) to help me get through the depression and anxiety that I was going through.
I’m coping with it a lot better, and I’m learning ways to continue to feel good." Okafor "feels better than he has in a long time and it goes farther than just basketball. There’s stuff off the court, dealing with family, the stuff I dealt with growing up. All of that came out when I started talking. It felt good to get it off my chest. It’s been very beneficial for me.”
Huge CONGRATS and thanks to Jahlil for allowing this information to be shared publicly. It will help many who are on the fence about seeking help. Jahlil is quickly become a major leader in his sport and I look forward to his continuing development into a major NBA star!
John F. Murray, PhD
Clinical and Sports Psychologist
11911 US Highway One Suite 201-4
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
https://www.JohnFMurray.com
Tel: 561-596-9898