Elijah Bryant walks through his game day for Hapoel Tel Aviv's first EuroLeague match: mobility work, shoot-around, practice, film study, journaling, and prayer before tipoff. After the win, he does a recovery lift while his body is still warm to reduce soreness and consolidate stress into one day.
Today is our first ever EuroLeague game for Hapoel Tel Aviv. I start my morning with mobility about an hour before shootaround to get my body fully activated. After shootaround and team practice, we have our team meal at the hotel and then we head back to the hotel room to rest. I study film before games to refresh on tendencies of key players so I can react faster in game. I journal to visualize what I want to feel and focus on during the game. Putting my thoughts into words helps me play with intention. I pray to stay grounded, to remember that my purpose is bigger than basketball. Then it's time to lock in. A quick nap and it's game time.
Oh, it's got a little help from his friend.
Will that drop? Yes, it will. After the game, we get a lift in, which may seem crazy, but our bodies are already warmed up. It also helps reduce soreness and keeps all physical stress in one day, allowing the next day to be fully dedicated to recovery. And that's game day.
