ABRINES Alex

General
MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES
In the 2018/19 season he said he went through a difficult period mentally, that eventually affected his career in the NBA. "In November 2018 I notice that things are beginning to break down. After each game or each training session, I thought I was on a bad streak. Although I was playing well, I felt like I was going to explode. The days went by and the feeling did not improve. It was like fighting against a wall. I knew the only solution was to leave the team to work on my mental health and reverse the situation." He believes it is important to talk openly about mental health. "I want to talk about it, to show it should not be a taboo topic, and that you need help to overcome it. I know that there are people who go through it and cannot stop working because they need the money. I am a lucky person who was able to stop. And I remember when I signed the resignation papers I felt better, thinking that I was no longer under pressure to come back. Basketball was not what I had in mind at that time, but to get well and work on my mental health." (fcbarcelona.es, 15 Jul 2021; elpais.com, 06 Jun 2021; diariodemallorca.es, 24 Jul 2020)

NBA STINT
He was chosen as the 32nd pick of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He continued playing with Spanish team Barcelona until the 2016/17 season, when he made his debut in the NBA. He played in Oklahoma for two and a half seasons, until he returned to Spain in 2019 for FC Barcelona. (fcbarcelona.es, 15 Jul 2021; acb.com, 22 Jun 2016; zona-deportiva.com, 06 May 2016)