Troubled 76ers big man opens up about concerning past behavior
Jul 5, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Kai Jones (23) dribbles against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers big man Kai Jones made headlines for the wrong reasons earlier this season. The former first-round pick has since opened up about what may have caused his unusual behavior.
The concern surrounding Jones began with a bizarre live stream on Instagram wherein the then-Charlotte Hornets center was speaking in what sounded like gibberish (video here). Jones also beefed with his Hornets teammates online and eventually asked to be traded.
The Hornets ended up waiving Jones, who was signed by the 76ers last week.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Shams Charania published on Monday, Jones sounded like a man ready to move on. The 23-year-old revealed that he had dealt with the deaths of two of his great grandparents. The ordeal had made him contemplate on his own mortality, leading to “negative voices” impacting him mentally.
“I think I was just trying to cancel out the negative voices in my head. Because, to be honest with you, Shams, I didn’t want to die,” Jones told Charania.
“I didn’t want to die.” – New Philadelphia 76ers C/F Kai Jones sits down with @Stadium: On coping with losses in his life, now receiving significant therapy, return to the NBA and more: pic.twitter.com/o0emOIIvG3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 18, 2024
Jones admitted that he had pushed several people away during his troubled phase, including his former agency Klutch Sports. Jones added that his mental state has improved significantly thanks to regular therapy sessions.
Jones played two seasons for the Hornets, averaging 2.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks across 67 games played. The Texas alum was selected 19th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.
