Former Boston Celtics guard Keyon Dooling surprised some by announcing his retirement early last week, but it turns out there was a reason for his abrupt decision. In an interview with CSN New England’s Jessica Camerato, Dooling admitted to being sexually abused as a child.
Keyon Dooling reveals sexual abuse as a child
Former Celtic Keyon Dooling spoke recently about the sexual assault he suffered as a child.
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Dooling told Camerato that he repressed the memories of his abuse for too long and they all came out earlier this summer, causing a mental breakdown that convinced him to go public with his past and end his NBA career:
“To be honest with you, I blocked a lot of things out of my life. I’m a man who’s been abused, sexually, emotionally, mentally. I’ve been abused in my life, and there’s so many guys around the NBA who have been abused and I know it because I’ve been their therapist. I didn’t even have the courage because I blocked it out so much that I couldn’t even share that.”
Dooling said he knows there are several other NBA players who were sexually abused. He told Camerato that he wants to help others in the league find the courage to address these repressed memories.
Dooling averaged seven points and 2.2 assists per game in his 12-year career with six teams. He said he thought about hanging it up before last season, but the Celtics convinced him to return for one more year. Dooling also plans on keeping his position as a vice president of the NBA Players Association, and he may accompany the Celtics on road trips even though he won’t play in the games.
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