Sanders: Exploring 'purpose in life'

Recently waived center Larry Sanders said he has received treatment for anxiety and depression.

Sanders, who was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, which officially completed his buyout, said in a piece he wrote for The Players' Tribune that he sought treatment.

"I know I disappeared for a while, people wondering where I was. I actually entered into Rogers Memorial Hospital, and it was a program for anxiety and depression, mood disorders," he said. "It taught me a lot about myself. It taught me about what's important and where I would want to devote my time and energy."

Sanders, who was suspended for five games on April 4 for testing positive for marijuana, said he began using the drug to treat his anxiety symptoms.

"Coming to the league, they drop this large amount of money out of nowhere. People automatically change around you," he said. "... There's no one really trying to guide, teach you what you should do and what you shouldn't do. So you get lost, you get your money stolen."

Sanders appeared in 27 games for Milwaukee this season, averaging 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 21.7 minutes of action per game.

Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that Sanders -- though eligible to play in the playoffs with another team because he was released before March 1 -- has no plans to play in the NBA again this season while he works through the personal issues that have plagued him.

"I love basketball, and if I get to a point where I feel I'm capable of playing basketball again, I will," Sanders said. "I've had to make the difficult decision to follow my intuition and allow myself the space and time to explore my true purpose in life."

Sanders, 26, was drafted by the Bucks with the 15th overall pick in the 2010 draft out of VCU. He said his only regret is the manner in which he left the team.

"I wish I could have said goodbye formally to the Bucks," Sanders said. "I want them to know it was never about them."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.