Kelly Oubre Jr. deals with depression and anxiety, just as millions of Americans do, just as fellow NBA players Kevin Love and DeMar DeRozan do.
In his mind, though, an athlete's struggles are different, more difficult.
"I feel like people who are on the outside looking in don't really understand because they see us as superheroes, but we're normal people, and we go through the issues that normal people go through, times 10," Oubre said Wednesday during a podcast with NBC Sports Washington.
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"We face a lot more adversity, a lot more problems and struggles as a normal human being, so it's a little bit more amped up. We just can't show it," Oubre also said.
Oubre, 22, said his instinct to not show emotion was developed early in life.
"I'm really good at keeping a poker face because when I was growing up my dad used to always tell me, 'Don't let anybody see you weak.' Nobody sees that I'm weak, but deep down inside I'm going through a lot and hell's turning over," Oubre said.
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Oubre said that when he needs a moment, he looks for a "quiet place" where he can breathe. "Just being mindful is the way I know to how get through any anxiety, any depression, anything like that," he said.
Oubre also said his father helps him stay centered.
"He worries about me keeping my head because, obviously, you know, I'm crazy as hell," Oubre said with a slight laugh. "I just love him because he's there, he wants me to be great."
