By Mallory Mattingly
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac hasn’t always had the career he’s wanted.
“I’ve experienced what a lot of people would say is the life. Want to be famous. We want to have money, have people coming up to us and following us, and all the things,” Isaac said in an interview with Alpha Youth.
However, three years into his NBA career, Isaac was leading the league in blocks and having a “phenomenal” season. Halfway through that season, he suffered a minor knee injury that kept him out of the game for a few weeks. When Isaac made his return to the court, he tore his ACL. As Isaac was on the tail end of his ACL recovery, he was doing sprints in rehab one day and tore his hamstring. That’s when his mindset shifted.
Related: Jonathan Isaac Describes Moment God Called Him to Preach
“I went through bouts of depression, just being checked out, just not wanting to really even do life anymore,” Isaac said. “If I didn’t have the people that I’ve had in my life–at the time, my wife, my church family–kind of direct me back to what truly matters. I wouldn’t probably be here.
“Jesus to me is the truth. He has remained a solid rock, a foundation, a grounding of truth and who I am, and the peace and the joy of things that you really just can’t buy brings you the most peace and most serenity and most comfort and most confidence about who you are as an individual,” he added.
Unfortunately, Isaac is currently nursing another knee injury that occurred three weeks ago while playing against the Washington Wizards.
Isaac went up for a rebound, landed awkwardly, and then began to hold his left knee. After the game, Isaac received an MRI, which showed a left knee sprain.
“My heart dropped,” head coach Jamahl Mosley said after the game, per Yahoo Sports. “Especially the way he went down, just seeing that, prayerfully so, God-willing he’s OK. But that initial reaction was just that.
“It took a lot of energy out of the group because they know one of their brothers goes down, especially JI, who we know what he’s been through … So (we) just continue to pray for him and where he is with what’s going on,” he continued.
Magic guard Desmond Bane shared how he desires Isaac back on the floor.
“My guy, I have little conversations with him before every single game,” Bane said of Isaac, per Sports Illustrated. “That is one of my favorite teammates I have ever had. Selfless dude, brings it every single night vocally and with his energy and effort. Super happy for him. Seems like every time he is out there, he is making an impact. So, I am glad he is with us.”
Isaac’s career has been plagued by injuries. In just his third year in the NBA, he suffered three brutal injuries that caused him to miss two and a half years of game time. If it weren’t for Isaac’s community and faith in God, he wouldn’t have made it through that tough time in his life.
Read Next: Jonathan Isaac On How Faith Is The ‘Backbone’ of His Latest Book ‘Why I Stand’
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