Imagine a professional athlete finding solace in silence, using meditation to navigate the chaos of a high-stakes career and personal life. That’s exactly what NBA star DeAndre Jordan does, and his story is both inspiring and thought-provoking. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Jordan, a center for the New Orleans Pelicans, isn’t just meditating on the sidelines—he’s also a student at Brown University, diving deep into contemplative studies. How does a basketball giant balance the court, the classroom, and the mind? Let’s explore.
In the lead-up to his NBA games, Jordan dedicates 10 to 15 minutes to meditation, a practice he credits with helping him regulate his emotions and focus. ‘That time, when I’m able to take a pause, kind of helps me regulate my system,’ he shared during a recent Q&A event hosted by Brown’s contemplative studies initiative. The event, attended by around 60 students, offered a rare glimpse into how Jordan integrates mindfulness into both his personal life and his basketball career.
Jordan’s journey to meditation began before the pandemic, as he sought a way to manage the emotional rollercoaster of balancing sports, family, and personal life. ‘I needed to have something outside of sports, where I was able to take a break from DeAndre Jordan, and meditation really helped me with that,’ he explained. When he discovered Brown’s contemplative studies program, it felt like a natural fit. ‘This is exactly what I’m doing in my life already. Why not learn about it from the best people and peers that I possibly can?’ he thought.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Can meditation truly replace traditional sports psychology methods, or is it just a complementary tool? Harold Roth, a professor of religious studies and East Asian studies at Brown, believes Jordan’s approach has merit. After meeting Jordan through the National Basketball Players Association, Roth was impressed. ‘I decided this guy’s really got something,’ he said. Yet, some critics argue that meditation’s benefits are overstated—what do you think? Is it a game-changer or just another trend?
Balancing Brown’s rigorous academics with his NBA career and family life hasn’t been easy for Jordan. ‘It can be a roller coaster at times,’ he admitted. However, meditation has been his anchor, helping him pause and reset when overwhelmed. During the Q&A, Jerrell Barron ’28, a guard on Brown’s men’s basketball team, asked Jordan how contemplative studies could help him find a sense of self during injury-induced downtime. Barron, currently recovering from tumor removal surgery and a foot injury, found Jordan’s response particularly resonant. Jordan shared how he directs his breath and energy to injured areas, visualizing healing—a practice that blends mindfulness with physical recovery.
And this is the part most people miss: Jordan isn’t just practicing meditation; he’s on a mission to make it accessible to everyone. ‘I hope to be able to give everyone easier access and a bridge to meditation,’ he said. His openness about his struggles and triumphs resonated with many students, including Charles Kohl ’29, who plans to concentrate in contemplative studies partly due to his own challenges with high school basketball. ‘It’s interesting to see how meditation and mindfulness are applicable to any field,’ Kohl noted.
The contemplative studies program at Brown is gaining traction, thanks in part to events like the Q&A. Joshua Gerber ’26, a Departmental Undergraduate Group (DUG) leader, emphasized the program’s goal of raising awareness. ‘Our community is strong, and it doesn’t matter how small we are,’ added Kento Suzuki ’26, another DUG leader. ‘What matters is that our hearts are here and connected, and that we’re passionate about it.’
As Harold Roth aptly put it, attending Brown is about ‘figuring out your sense of potential, how to live a life worth living, and a life in which you give to others and support others.’ DeAndre Jordan’s journey exemplifies this, blending athletic excellence with intellectual curiosity and emotional resilience. But we want to hear from you: Do you think meditation can transform not just athletes, but anyone’s life? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
