In a series of alarming Instagram videos posted late Tuesday night, former Duke basketball standout Kyle Singler delivered a desperate plea to his old coach, Mike Krzyzewski. The 2010 national champion, who was a cornerstone of the Blue Devils' success from 2007 to 2011, claimed that Coach K had "set him up" and turned a blind eye to his struggles.
Singler, a three-time All-ACC selection, has long been a source of concern for fans due to his erratic behavior and mental health struggles. Tuesday's posts, however, took those worries to a new level. In the first of four reels, Singler directly addressed Coach K, saying, "Man, Coach K has set me up. Set me up, man. I have no power. I have no house. I've reached out to coach and everybody has turned the other way. I've reached out to coach and he has fully dismissed the message."
The 37-year-old went on to allege that his power was being cut off, his home was being broken into, and money was being stolen. He accused the Hall of Fame coach of benching him instead of offering help, asking, "Is that what we're doing at that school, sending people down, teaching them up? Cool beans, man. Coach, where you at? Help a brother out. Thought we were on the same team, man."
In his final video, Singler claimed all his accounts were frozen and that he was being watched. "Well, coach, I need your help, I'm locked in my house and I have no freedom anymore," he said. "Everyone again is attacking me for green. Coach, man, I've reached out to you many times and shared with you where I'm at and you've just been deflective. Leaving people in the dust. I don't respect it. You got a player that's been traded, baby."
This is not the first time Singler has raised red flags. Last October, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, and in 2024, he publicly stated, "I fear for my life every day." His post-basketball life has been marked by legal troubles and public outbursts, leaving many to wonder what more can be done to help him.
The NBA Players Association has reportedly reached out to offer support to the former second-round pick, who spent six seasons in the league with the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite those efforts, Singler's situation appears to have worsened.
Fans and former teammates have flooded social media with messages of concern, urging Coach K and the Duke community to step in. The university has not yet issued a statement, but the pressure is mounting for a response.
As the basketball world watches this troubling saga unfold, the hope is that Singler gets the help he so desperately needs. His cries for assistance are a stark reminder that even celebrated athletes can face profound challenges once the spotlight fades.
For more on the mental health struggles of former athletes, see this piece on former NBA players and the criticism of Jon Gruden's return.
