Former NBA star Blake Griffin has opened up about a disturbing breach of trust that soured his first experience with sports psychology, revealing how a mental health professional violated the confidentiality of their private session.
Griffin shared the troubling incident during an appearance on the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, speaking with hosts Lil Dicky, Kristin Batalucco, and Benny Blanco. The Hall of Fame forward detailed how the incident occurred during his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers.
According to Griffin's account, the sports psychologist visited his residence following a practice session for what was intended to be a confidential consultation. The conversation appeared routine until Griffin discovered the professional had immediately contacted his coach to discuss their private discussion.
The breach of confidentiality came to light in an unexpected manner. After their conversation concluded, Griffin took a shower. Upon checking his phone afterward, he discovered a missed call and voicemail from the psychologist. When he listened to the message, Griffin realized the mental health professional had accidentally called him instead of his coach, leaving a voicemail that recapped their supposedly confidential session.
The incident represents a significant violation of professional ethics in sports psychology, where confidentiality serves as a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. Mental health professionals are bound by strict ethical guidelines that prohibit sharing client information without explicit consent, particularly with employers or coaches who may use such information in performance evaluations or roster decisions.
The experience left a lasting impact on Griffin's willingness to engage with sports psychology services. The betrayal effectively ended his openness to working with mental health professionals in that capacity, at least during that period of his career.
Despite the negative experience, Griffin's career trajectory remained strong following the incident. The former Clippers star went on to achieve Hall of Fame status, demonstrating resilience in the face of what could have been a career-disrupting breach of trust.
The revelation highlights ongoing concerns about mental health support in professional sports. While leagues have increasingly emphasized psychological wellness and made resources available to players, incidents like the one Griffin described underscore the importance of proper training, ethical standards, and accountability for professionals working with athletes.
Griffin's willingness to share this experience publicly may encourage broader conversations about the protection of athlete privacy and the need for robust confidentiality protocols in sports psychology. As mental health awareness grows within professional athletics, ensuring that players can trust the professionals meant to support them becomes increasingly critical to the effectiveness of these programs.