‘I’m starving’: Ex-Lakers star, now playing for Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv, regrets his 25-hour challenge

“We competed a lot, but the most important thing was that we had the opportunity to get to know each other.” This was Patrick Beverley’s first impression when he joined his new team, Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv, for training camp. While he most likely could have secured another NBA contract, Beverley made a big move this summer by choosing to play overseas instead. And the former Lakers star has already begun learning and familiarizing himself with the culture of his new teammates while taking on a tough 25-hour challenge. But just hours into the challenge, Pat Bev began to regret his decision.

After a conversation with his Israeli teammates, Beverley decided to try Yom Kippur fasting, a sacred practice in Judaism. To successfully complete the fast, a person must abstain from all food and drink for 25 hours, from before sunset the evening before until after sunset on Yom Kippur. But Beverley, unaccustomed to the practice, began struggling just three hours into his fast. In an Instagram video with the caption “3 hours in. Yom Kippur”said the veteran guard, “Boys and girls, I’m fighting. I’m fucking hungry.” He even posted a story write-up, “The struggle is real, I’m starving. Yom Kippur.” With a facepalm emoji.

Then he even hinted that he would regret his decision to accept this challenge. “I’m starving. Yes, I’m starving. I still have 22 hours left. I don’t think this is a good idea, guys.” However, he got some expert tips from his Hapoel Tel Aviv teammates to make the challenge a little easier. “So my teammates told me to go to sleep around 3-4 o’clock.” And that would give him enough sleep to get through the fast. However, Beverley revealed that the temptation to eat and drink was very strong, especially as he had a water bottle right in front of him. But why is Patrick putting himself through all this trouble when he could have continued playing in the NBA?

Patrick Beverley claims Hapoel Tel Aviv gave him “everything he asked for” while also addressing his shrunken role in the NBA

In the summer, Beverley could have signed with another NBA team, but it would most likely have been a veteran minimum contract. And the 36-year-old believed he deserved more, “I don’t think I’m a minimum player, but I’m a minimum player if Kyle Lowry and Russell Westbrook are at the minimum. I don’t think that’s fair to me. I work harder at my craft than many people in the NBA. Once you reach a minimum, the teams offer you another.” Despite his age, Beverley averaged 6.2 points last season and was a solid defensive player.

Meanwhile, the Israeli club offered him a two-year, $4 million contract, as well as an additional million in potential bonuses based on the team’s performance. And Beverley accepted this offer. “They gave me everything I asked for…I couldn’t refuse.” While he could have made a similar amount of money in the league, the freedom he gets playing for his new team in Israel might not have been an option in the United States. “I had a phenomenal NBA career, but I don’t want to be in the corner.”

In fact, he had become more of a three-and-D guy as he got older. But he can finally demonstrate his other skills abroad. However, he hasn’t ruled out a future return to the NBA. “The doors are always open. Who knows what will happen next year?” But for now, he’s just focused on helping his new team succeed and get through Yom Kippur quickly.