Feb. 14 (UPI) — Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan will launch a YouTube series Tuesday, discussing mental health with past and present NBA stars and influencers, he announced Wednesday.
DeRozan posted a “first look” preview of the “Dinners with DeMar” series Wednesday morning on his YouTube channel.
“For me, growing up in an urban community, we never talked about the effects of mental health or what you see every single day on a daily basis,” DeRozan said in the video.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard and Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade were shown conversing with DeRozan in the preview.
Podium Pictures first announced “Dinners with DeMar” on May 16, as part of several “mental health documentary projects.” The media company plans to produce a six-part mental health series.
DeRozan, 34, revealed in 2018 on Twitter — now X — that he was fighting depression and anxiety. He expanded on that battle in an interview with the Toronto Star.
“It’s one of them things that, no matter how indestructible we look like we are, we’re all human at the end of the day,” DeRozan told the Star.
A month after DeRozan detailed his journey, Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love opened up about his mental health in an essay for The Players Tribune. Several other athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Dak Prescott, Serena Williams and Michael Phelps, also opened up about their mental health in recent years.
Phelps detailed his battle in the HBO Sports documentary “the Weight of Gold,” which was also created by Podium Pictures creator and executive producer Brett Rapkin.
DeRozan, a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection, is averaging 22.7 points, 5.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game through 52 starts this season for the Bulls. He logged a league-high 37.6 minutes per game so far this season.
