NBA Star Jonathan Isaac Talks Faith and Breaking the Mental Health Stigma

At 18 years old, Jonathan Isaac joined the NBA as the No. 6 draft pick for the Orlando Magic.
While the young athlete’s ascent to the world stage was a dream come true, the overwhelming pressure began to eclipse the once-desired glitz and glamour, said the athlete.
In a candid conversation with The Epoch Times, Isaac opened up about his journey of faith, his mental health struggles, and the steps he’s taken as an entrepreneur.
“When I got to the NBA, I had my mind set on, ‘Man, I want to live my life, and I want to do things my way and kind of follow the trend of how NBA players usually live their life,’” he said. “And I did that, up until God, you know, God met me.”
Isaac was born on Oct. 3, 1997, in the Bronx borough of New York City and grew up in Naples, Florida. He played one season of college basketball at Florida State University before declaring for the 2017 NBA draft, where he was selected by the Orlando Magic.
He is known for his versatility on the court, with the ability to play both forward positions thanks to his size, athleticism, and defensive prowess. Standing at 6 feet, 10 inches tall with a wingspan of 7 feet, 1 inch, Isaac has been praised for his shot blocking, rebounding, and defensive versatility, making him one of the league’s more promising young defensive players.
When Isaac first arrived in the NBA, he was eager to experience the lifestyle that came with it, he said—the money, the fame, and everything in between.
However, he quickly realized that this lifestyle wasn’t as fulfilling as it seemed. He said that much of the time, he felt empty.
“It’s such a lie that people who have money or fame or status have everything together,” he said. “A lot of the times, they have things worse going on in their lives, and it’s overshadowed by them being able to mask what’s really going on.”
Isaac reflected on his personal battles, sharing how his faith has been instrumental in overcoming anxiety and negative thinking.
“It’s always been a struggle of mine—speaking in front of people, public speaking, being very critical of myself. It’s something we all deal with,” he said.
Isaac said his faith has helped him overcome the anxiety and negative thinking that used to plague him.
His support system—including his wife and pastor—has been crucial in this journey.
Isaac attends J.U.M.P. Ministries Global Church in Orlando, Florida, where he said his faith has led him to a deeper understanding of himself.
“It’s not that anxiety has just gone away. I’ve just learned how to battle it, and so when it does come up, you know, I have the tools of speaking the word, and then recognizing that God’s love for me is settled and final, and I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to do everything right,” he said.
“Those are some of the things that were hindering me from being myself and being authentic.”
His aim is that his openness about these struggles will dismantle the false perception that those with money or fame are immune to such challenges.
The book delves into his experiences as an NBA player, particularly focusing on his decision to stand during the national anthem before a game on July 31, 2020, while others knelt in support of Black Lives Matter.
He said it was important to be honest and transparent in the book, so that others would feel free to be transparent and authentic themselves.
Isaac said he wanted his readers to know that everyone struggles in some way and that there is a solution, and he uses his social media presence to convey that message.
He suffered a significant knee injury during the 2019–2020 season, which included a torn ACL that kept him out for the entire 2020–2021 season and most of the 2021–2022 season.
Despite these setbacks, Isaac’s potential remains high, particularly due to his defensive abilities.
His experiences with injuries have also shaped his perspective on life and sports.
“I’ve returned to the court through a lot of perseverance, prayer, and focusing on that relationship with Christ,” he says. He acknowledges the mental and spiritual challenges that came with his physical injuries and credits his support system for helping him persevere.
Isaac said he is excited about the future of UNITUS, revealing plans for a new training shoe to be released in the fall, as well as a forthcoming line of workout gear.
“I’ve seen my own expansion as a man, you know? I’m a father today. I’m a husband today, something that I never thought I would be, especially when I was first to the league,” he said. “But I’ve grown.”