Whether they play in the NCAA, the NBA G-League, or Overtime Elite, sixty young men will hear their names being called across the stage at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center next June.

Of those sixty players, the following fourteen are the most likely to be among the first-round lottery picks (listed by name, not predicted draft order). While it is far too early to predict where each player is going to be drafted, we can take into consideration what each NBA team needs and which ones will be in the lottery.

As it is a fairly weak draft class, compared to the last couple of years, don’t be surprised to see a number of picks moving teams.

Aday Mara: UCLA Bruins

Potential Draft Team: Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have one of the pillars of their franchise already set in place with LaMelo Ball running the point. They are hoping that the second overall pick from the 2023 Draft, Brandon Miller can fill the role on the wing. Adding a young and talented big man who can space the floor on both ends is the next step.

7’3″ / 240 pounds with a 7’7″ wingspan certainly fits the bill for a big man. Add to the fact that the Spanish center is a talented inside scorer, capable passer, and mobile defender and the Hornets might have just found their third pillar.

Alex Sarr: Perth Wildcats (NBL France)

Potential Draft Team: Portland Trail Blazers

It’s inevitable that All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers will be parting ways, it’s just a matter of time. When that day comes, the team will turn the keys over to their youth, guards Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and forward Shaedon Sharpe. All that is missing is someone in the paint.

For the second straight year, a seven-footer from France will be one of the more intriguing players in the draft. While he doesn’t have the skillset of Wembanyama, Sarr does have the athleticism to run with the young Blazers backcourt and the shot-blocking presence to potentially be Portland’s focal point defensively.

D.J. Wagner: Kentucky Wildcats

Potential Draft Team: Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are in a state of flux. They lost their starting point guard to the Houston Rockets with nothing in return (although they filled the role with Dennis Schroder). Their best players are often part of trade rumors and they have yet to turn the keys of the franchise over to forward Scottie Barnes.

Wagner is projected to spend just one season with the Wildcats, playing both backcourt positions. Standing just 6’3″, Wagner brings questions as to whether he will be able to physically match up with other NBA shooting guards. A strong finisher at the hoop, Wagner uses creativity and confident ball handling to get to the basket.

Donovan Clingan: Connecticut Huskies

Potential Draft Team: Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have slowly been putting the puzzle pieces together and are close to once again becoming a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. Standing 7’2″ / 265 pounds, Clingan is a mountain of a man, who uses his natural gifts on both ends of the floor.

While he isn’t the most athletic, Clingan does run the floor well and uses his size to be an effective rebounder and shot-blocker. A throwback to the old-school big man, Clingan has a soft touch in the paint and likely won’t roam too far away from the hoop. With Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin in need of a pick-and-roll partner, the Huskies sophomore would be a great backup or even running mate to Pacers’ current center Myles Turner.

Elmarko Jackson: Kansas Jayhawks

Potential Draft Team: New Orleans Pelicans

While he will have to battle a number of other Jayhawks for the spotlight in both stats and minutes, Jackson is projected to be one of the elite young point guards in the 2024 draft class. Although like many young players, his jumper remains a work in progress, Jackson has the ability to get to the rim using his speed, length, and athleticism.

The Pelicans are one of the biggest question marks entering the NBA season. Brandon Ingram should have been one of the leaders for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup but found himself playing a minimal role. If Zion Williamson is healthy, the Pels are a contender for a playoff spot. If both of these former Duke Blue Devils fail to live up to expectations, a trip to the lottery is in the team’s future.

Isaiah Collier: USC Trojans

Potential Draft Team: San Antonio Spurs

Yes, the Spurs lucked out this past summer with the addition of predicted franchise savior Victor Wembanyama, but the team is still likely to struggle as the phenom from France figures out the NBA game. And since every good big man needs a point guard, look no further than USC’s Isaiah Collier.

A pass-first point guard, Collier is a great pick-and-roll instigator. While he is built more like an NFL running back at 6’4″ / 205 pounds, Collier can either use his speed to play the finesse game or size to slow the game down and play some bully ball in the halfcourt.

Izan Almansa: G-League Ignite

Potential Draft Team: Dallas Mavericks

With MPV candidate Luka Doncic and All-Star Kyrie Irving occupying the backcourt, the Dallas Mavericks can use some help in the paint.

This past summer 6’10” Spanish forward Almansa launched his name up the NBA draft boards by winning a gold medal and MVP at the FIBA U19 World Cup. A year earlier Almansa captured a gold medal and MVP at the FIBA U18 European Championship as well as a silver medal and MVP at the FIBA U17 World Cup. While his shooting range isn’t that of a prototypical modern North American big man, he does have a soft finish at the hoop and is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. All of which the Mavericks are in need of.

Ja’Kobe Walter: Baylor Bears

Potential Draft Team: Atlanta Hawks

Rumors of All-Star point guard Trae Young leaving Atlanta for brighter lights have been spreading for the last couple of years. Why the Hawks would want to trade their only star player is slightly baffling, but sometimes change is a good thing. Whether Young stays or not, the Hawks can use some backcourt depth.

Standing 6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan, Walter is a silky smooth shot maker, basically a hybrid of Young and current Hawks shooting guard Dejounte Murray. With the Bears losing three of their top three scorers to the NBA, graduation, and transfer, Walter will be asked to carry a significant part of the scoring load in his predicted one-and-done season.

Justin Edwards: Kentucky Wildcats

Potential Draft Team: Chicago Bulls

For the last couple of years, the Chicago Bulls have been good enough to make the playoffs, but they didn’t make much noise, bowing out early. Saddled with a trio of high-priced players who are on the downside of their respective careers, the Bulls need to look to the future.

A well-rounded 6’8″ combo forward who could potentially hear his name called first overall, Edwards can create for himself or others, score in transition with a highlight reel dunk or pull up from downtown for a long-range bucket.

Matas Buzelis: G-League Ignite

Potential Draft Team: Detroit Pistons

If anyone in the 2024 Draft class can compare to Wembanyama, it would be the Lithuanian big man. Similar to the San Antonio Spurs prized rookie and Oklahoma City Thunder rookie phenom Chet Holmgren, Buzelis, who weighs in at just 195 pounds is in need of putting on a significant amount of weight to battle bigger NBA opponents.

Projected to be a point forward, Buzelis has impressive handles for a player his size. With the ability to grab the ball off the glass and kickstart the offense, Buzelis is also a versatile offensive threat, finishing at the hoop with either hand and thanks to his size, his high-release jumper will be hard to block.

Ron Holland: G-League Ignite

Potential Draft Team: Washington Wizards

Standing 6’8″, 200 pounds, Holland is currently listed as a small forward for the G-League Ignite, but by the time he reaches his full growth and potential in the NBA, he could likely play either forward spot.

An amazing athlete, Holland combines an explosive rim attack with a soft touch for floaters and midrange jumpers. With continued work on his ball handling and perimeter shooting, Holland’s constant motor provides him with one of the highest ceilings in the draft.

Stephon Castle: Connecticut Huskies

Potential Draft Team: Utah Jazz

At 6’6″, Castle is a big-time talent who can get to any spot on the floor. While he may not have the speed or explosiveness of his draft peers, his size allows him to be an interchangeable backcourt player who can either run the show as a point guard or play off the ball.

The Jazz were one of the surprise teams in the NBA last season. While most assumed that they were in a full rebuild after trading stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, they started 10-3 and finished just three games out of a “play-in” spot.

Tyrese Proctor: Duke Blue Devils

Potential Draft Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Likely more of a combo guard than a pure point guard, the 6’4″ Australian will be given every opportunity as one of the members of the Blue Devils starting guards. As the team’s second-leading scorer, Proctor finished the season as Duke’s leader in assists.

As current Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley is in the twilight of his career, adding a player like Proctor, who can not only score in a variety of ways but also pilot the offense, the Wolves would be an ideal landing spot for the twenty-year-old.

Zacchaire Risacher: JL Bourg (LNB Pro A)

Potential Draft Team: Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are a team without a true identity. After blowing up their roster to rebuild through the draft, the team added a trio of veterans to their roster during the offseason who will likely get a significant amount of minutes under new coach Ime Udoka.

Standing 6’10”, Risacher is a prototypical European player, filled with more skill than flash. A great playmaker and passer, Risacher does not have much explosiveness but has a great basketball mind thanks to his father, Stephane, who helped France win the silver medal at the 2000 Olympics. Despite his lack of hops, Risacher’s size helps him get to the basket offensively and contest shots on the defensive end.

NBA players have access to an entire team of nutritionists, trainers, and chefs for their dietary needs, but most seem to go for the personal chef route. This way, each player can have their individual needs better met with a constant guide in the kitchen preparing their meals for their season.

Not only do most players seem to choose personal chefs as their method to peak performance, but also reducing inflammation leads to certain choices these NBA All-Stars made. Veganism, fish consumption, rejection of fast food, and even favoring homemade meals over all can be cited as reasons for these All-Stars’ dietary preferences and to reduce inflammation. Reducing inflammation in an elite, professional level of athletics can be a key for longevity in the league.

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James jokes with fans during the NBA All-Star game in Cleveland, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The Keys to Success

LeBron James says that drinking red wine has been the foundation of his healthy practice. He says that is promotes heart health. There may be some truth in this as Margarita Rohr, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health states that red wine has antioxidant properties that make blood less likely to form clots. She supplements that statement with the fact that if an individual is also not exercising regularly or following a healthy eating pattern, the negative effects of alcohol consumption will inevitably offset the benefits for heart health.

Kevin Durant eats fish before every game, or so his personal chef, Ryan Lopez, has said. Lopez further explains that Durant likes to eat fish in the hopes of reducing inflammation in Durant’s body.

In another choice aimed at reducing inflammation in the body, Giannis Antetokounmpo drinks a celery juice smoothie with fruit and protein. Some experts believe that celery juice can aid in the reduction of information.

Often elite athletes from different sports will consult with one another regarding skills, practice routines, and even nutrition. Steph Curry did just that when he consulted with Tom Brady who mentioned that possibly going mostly vegan would help. Since that conversation, Curry has followed this tip on his own where he eats eggs and meat for breakfast, but his lunches and dinners are entirely plant-based proteins.

Sometimes nutrition is not the only aspect that can jumpstart an athlete’s skill. Joel Embiid showcased this when his trainer, Chris Babcock, reported that after every shot in shooting practice, Embiid would run full-court sprints in order to simulate shifts of live games.

Another All-Star that highlights physical conditioning, Jayson Tatum, has focused on performing dumbbell squats to pack on muscle. Squats are the kings of lower body exercises as they develop the quads and glutes, but they lack the upper body development. However, the dumbbell squat variation allows Tatum to simultaneously develop the lower and upper body while mitigating the risk to his joints and back that back-squats may indicate.

Something we all could learn from Nikola Jokic is giving up soda. Jokic says that he used to drink three liters of Coca-Cola a day in the Adriatic Basketball Association. When he started playing with the Denver Nuggets, the plane ride over was the last can of soda he had, Jokic said.

Like, Jayson Tatum, Trae Young also wanted to pack on some muscle for the season to be able to better compete with the NBA bodies. To do this, Young drank up to five protein shakes a day in order to go up from 164 pounds to 178 pounds before the NBA Draft. These protein shakes allowed Young to enter a caloric surplus which is needed for the body to put on weight.

Navy SEALS and other military Vets discuss how important it is to wake up early and get the day going with exercise. DeMar DeRozan follows this mantra when he did powerlifting at 5:30 a.m. in his prime to help him build lean muscle.

The offseason is just as important to performance in season, and Andrew Wiggins understands this thoroughly. Wiggins says that in the offseason and any other time he is off the court/away from the training room, he walks his dogs, works out in his home weight room, goes bowling, plays ping-pong, and goes jogging/running.

Momma knows best and her cooking knows even better. Ja Morant follows this sage advice when he reported that the only thought he has about his nutrition is whatever he sees, he eats it. He elaborated further that, at 22, his parents feed him with spaghetti, chicken wings, and ribs. A good balance to be sure.

Luka Doncic conducted more conditioning in the offseason because he was overweight and needed to get back to his listed playing weight, which was 30 pounds less than he was at the Dallas Mavericks start of training camp.

Devin Booker chose the personal chef route as many others to focus on more fish and vegetable heavy meals. He says he had to quit going to Raising Canes and having fried chicken multiple times a day.

Chris Paul credits his late-career surge to his switch to veganism. Unlike Steph Curry, Paul is full-on vegan, no eggs, no dairy, no meat, all plant.

LaMelo Ball’s trainer, Mike Fox, reveals the emphasis on single-leg squats has helped Ball achieve peak condition. The single-leg squat aided Ball in developing the lower body, core, and posterior chain so that Ball could jump higher and be more vertically competitive

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1. Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham

PPG – 20.1 / RPG – 6.2 / APG – 3.5

Standing at 6’8″, 220lbs, the nineteen-year-old multi-talented combo guard-forward is the cream of the crop for the 2021 draft. It is a great building block for any struggling franchise. With his ability to create his own shot or play off the ball, the former Oklahoma St. Cowboy brings an exciting combination of size, skill, and intelligence. As one of a few NBA-ready players in the draft, Cunningham has the talent to play multiple positions on either end of the court. The Pistons need a face for their franchise, and Cunningham certainly fits that title.

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2. Houston Rockets – Evan Mobley

PPG – 16.4 / RPG – 8.7 / APG – 2.4

Mobley is unquestionably the best big man in the draft. This creates a bit of a problem when the Rockets already have a 6’10” version in Christian Wood, who had a breakout season before being impacted by an ankle injury. Both players can play facing the basket, run the floor and provide a presence on the defensive end. The Rockets could also use the pick to select Mobley. They could dangle him as trade bait for teams looking for an impactful big man and gain a backcourt player and another asset, which could fit their team better.

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3. Cleveland Cavaliers – Jalen Green

PPG – 17.9 / RPG – 4.1 / APG – 2.8

Green will likely be the first player who decided to skip college and play in the NBA G-League to be drafted. As with the Rockets issue with Mobley, the Cavaliers already have a crowded backcourt with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. The chance to add potentially the best pure scorer in the draft may be too enticing to pass up. Gifted with explosive athletic ability, Green can creatively get to the hoop when his outside shot is struggling.

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4. Toronto Raptors – Jalen Suggs

PPG – 14.4 / RPG – 5.3 / APG – 4.5

The Raptors could be one of the teams willing to make a draft-day trade with the Rockets for Mobley as they are thin up front. If they do keep the pick, Suggs looks to be a natural replacement for Kyle Lowry who could be on his way out as a free agent. Suggs is essentially Lowry 2.0 and teaming him up with another pitbull-type player in Fred Van Vleet gives the Raptors one of the grittiest backcourts in the NBA.

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5. Orlando Magic – Jonathan Kuminga

PPG – 15.8 / RPG – 7.2 / APG – 2.7

He didn’t have as much success as a member of the NBA G-League Ignite that his teammate Green did. Still, Kuminga is the type of player that the Magic can quickly slot into the starting small forward spot that was once occupied by Aaron Gordon. The Magic are in a full rebuild, and Kuminga’s size, length, and athletic ability are very similar to Gordon’s. Although still raw in talent, the Magic are young enough to be patient with Kuminga as he fills out and matures into the NBA game.

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6. Oklahoma City Thunder – Scottie Barnes

PPG – 10.3 / RPG – 4.0 / APG – 4.1

In a draft class that is considered to be a top-five first tier, Barnes falls into the best second tier as the 6th pick. Despite being listed as a small forward, Barnes can confidently handle the rock. He was the main facilitator during his one year with the Florida State Seminoles. With a 6’7″ frame, a 7’3″ wingspan, and a 36″ standing vertical, Barnes has the type of body that the Thunder seeks to help fill out their rebuilding plan. If it weren’t for his lack of a consistent shot, Barnes may have found himself in the top tier of the 2021 draft class.

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7. Golden State Warriors – Davion Mitchell

PPG – 14 / RPG – 2.7 / APG – 5.5

There are many options for the Warriors with this pick. They might look to trade it to bring in a more experienced player or use it to draft a young backup for Steph Curry or Draymond Green. With a lot of mileage on Curry’s legs, drafting Mitchell with their first of two lottery picks makes the most sense for the Warriors. After leading the Baylor Bears to the NCAA National Championship this year as a Junior, Mitchell comes into the team with plenty of big-game experience. While his calling card is his tenacious defense, Mitchell shot 44% from downtown last season, so he should fit right into the Warriors’ offensive plans.

8. Orlando Magic – Moses Moody

PPG – 16.8 / RPG – 5.8 / APG – 1.6

The Orlando Magic needs a starting shooting guard, and Moody can step right in on opening night. Whether he plays beside Cole Anthony in the backcourt or moves to the small forward slot, Moody is a 3 and D type player that the Magic seek to add to their young roster. Some may consider this spot too high to draft Moody, who is expected to be the youngest player in the draft. Still, the Magic aren’t likely to compete in the East next season and can afford to be patient.

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9. Sacramento Kings – Franz Wagner

PPG – 12.5 / RPG – 6.5 / APG – 3

The Kings seem to have their starting unit locked down, so adding some depth to their bench is key this offseason. Enter the Michigan Wolverine, who is a walking Swiss Army knife. A two-way player that can do a bit of everything well, Wagner can play both forward positions if the Kings decide to go small ball. With a solid shoot-dribble-pass skill set, Wagner has an above-average catch and shoot game and reminds some of former San Antonio Spurs great, Manu Ginobli.

10. New Orleans Pelicans – Corey Kispert

PPG – 18.6 / RPG – 5 / APG 1.8

The Pelicans appear in disarray. They have some of the best young offensive talents in the NBA on their roster, but they haven’t figured out how to use it in two years. And let’s not even start with their defense, which ranked 22nd out of the thirty teams in the league. Adding a player with Kispert’s talents will help space the floor offensively by allowing Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram room to operate. He is one of the best pure shooters in the draft. A high IQ player, Kispert would come to the team with plenty of experience. The 22-year-old is the only senior player expected to be drafted in the lottery and could make an immediate impact.

11. Charlotte Hornets – Kai Jones

PPG – 8.8 / RPG – 4.8 / APG – 0.6

The Hornets made more noise this season than many expected as they were on the verge of a playoff seed for most of the regular season until injuries to Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball took their toll. One of the Hornets’ biggest weaknesses is at the center spot, where Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo each failed to hit double digits in scoring or rebounding. Neither provided much of a shot-blocking presence. After Evan Mobley, the cupboard is pretty bare for big men in this year’s draft, but look for the Hornets to take a flyer on the former Texas Longhorn, who can space the floor as well as run the court and add some defensive athleticism.

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12. San Antonio Spurs – Keon Johnson

PPG – 11.3 / RPG – 3.5 / APG – 2.5

Who the Spurs pick here depends on whether or not they feel Demar DeRozan will stay or leave. Although he has been their best player for the last couple of seasons, DeRozan is a free agent who is likely looking to join a contending team, rather than one who is battling for an eighth seed. If DeRozan is content to stay, look for the Spurs to draft a center, but since odds are the LA native is leaving, selecting Keon Johnson will help fill the void. Smashing the NBA Combine vertical test, Johnson draws comparisons to DeRozan and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown.

13. Indiana Pacers – Josh Giddey

PPG – 10.9 / RPG – 7.4 / APG – 7.5

Giddey is likely to be the first International player chosen in this year’s draft. Similar in style and size to LaMelo Ball, who played in the same Australian league before high school. Giddey will give the Pacers a pass-first point guard who can either play alongside Malcolm Brogden or replace him off the bench. At only 19 years of age, Giddey would be the Pacers point guard of the future. For Giddey to succeed in the NBA as the primary ball-handler, he will have to limit his turnovers as he averaged 3.3 in just 32 minutes of action last season in the NBL.

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14. Golden State Warriors – James Bouknight

PPG – 18.7 / RPG – 5.7 / APG – 1.8

There is nothing wrong with adding another member to the Splash Brothers, especially with Klay Thompson coming off of two missed seasons. With the ability to create his own shot and finish in traffic, Bouknight seems like the perfect fit for the Warriors. The only concern that the Warriors might have is how healthy Bouknight’s elbow is as he had surgery on it this past season. Still, by all accounts, it seemed to be fine as he finished out his sophomore season.

The NBA today announced the formation of NBA Africa, a new entity that will conduct the league’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League.

More ➡️ https://t.co/6NX21CGRq2 pic.twitter.com/jPM0jJ4gGY

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 24, 2021

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) will be funded by two primary investors, former NBA all-stars Grant Hill and Dikembe Mutombo. Both of which are valuing this deal at close to a billion dollars. Over 50 current NBA players had some family affiliation with Africa, so the demand is there. Silver said in his press conference that he believes this can become one of the prolific sports in the world.

The NBA has signed a deal to expand in Africa that values the business on the continent at $1 billion https://t.co/ImHlKDrJzk

— Bloomberg (@business) May 24, 2021

“With the expertise, resources and shared vision, the immensely successful investors and NBA legends, we believe that basketball in Africa can become a top sport over the next decade,” said Silver.

The NBA said the BAL will not only strive for great basketball but also will strive for influencing those within the community. The ecosystem and growing basketball market will be on the NBA’s to-do list when building up the BAL.

This will be an exciting entity to follow.

Photo via NBA

Video Transcript Below 

Bailey
Right. Okay.

There we go. Hello everyone. And welcome back to our digital content here at stack sports. And this is an interview series called listen up where we speak with various people in the sports community and learn more about their career path as always. We’re your hosts. He is Tyrese boon checking in from Beaumont sexist, hopefully, a little bit warmer than the past few weeks, Beaumont, Texas, and as always on Bailey or Dondo from Monterey California. And today we have a very special edition of listen up and we’re bringing on a certified agent from the national basketball players association and now CEO of intrusive sports agency, Deshaun Harris, Deshaun. We appreciate you taking the time today.

Deshaun Harris:
Hey, I’m excited to be on with you guys. Um, two legends in the making, so I’m excited. Let’s go. Let’s get to it. Let’s get to it.

Tyrese:
All right, man. Let’s start off man. First question. So how are you doing, how with the pandemic going on, man, how’s your business going? And um, just how you’ve been working with your clients. How’s it been going with?

Deshaun:
Couldn’t be more blessed. Um, as, as you know, we live in a world with instantaneous communication, so really just utilizing it to our, to our advantage, uh, playing to our strengths, making sure that we don’t leave any stone unturned and constantly communicating with our players. Um, constantly, constantly exploring possible opportunities, but first ensuring that everyone has safe sound and happy. Um, and, and just making sure we’re communicating at all times. So really just using our instantaneous communication to our advantage. Nevertheless, so blessed to have health. And I just want to say to everyone that has lost someone over the last year or so, um, our partners are going out to you. We understand the difficulty as far as the pandemic. We’ll also, um, the social issues that, that continue to happen within our country and throughout other countries. And, um, our, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone going through something, whether it’s mental health, physical health, or, uh, social-cultural health. So

Bailey:
Take us back to how basketball started to play a bigger role in your life. Did you have anyone that you looked up to growing up in the basketball world?

Deshaun:
That’s a great question because the person I looked up to when, and continue to look up to as my father, um, I, it seems like my introduction to basketball has always been seamless because there’s always been basketball around. Um, my father was able to play at the collegiate level, but he, uh, decided to go into the Marines. Um, he moved to California and was able to meet my beautiful mother and they had us, uh, throughout the nineties. I was born in 96. So, um, and, and about early two-thousands, my father started a nonprofit within the inland empire California area that served a hundred, uh, certain over 100 student-athletes and helping them pursue their careers, uh, within basketball and other sports. So his trade-off to them was basically, Hey, um, I’ll provide an opportunity to you within basketball if you provide us with good grades.

Deshaun:
So he was able to finance and, and help out a lot of students, uh, that were underserved within our communities. So that was my first introduction to basketball itself, especially travel basketball. So seeing those students come from communities that would often give them a chance and use basketball as a gateway to something more in their future was enlightening for me. Um, after that, my dad kind of, uh, continued to play a big factor within the basketball community, becoming a coach. And now he’s a Dean of athletics at a university in, uh, an Irvine called Westcliff university, but also him, you know, him, him placing the ball within my hands and, and me having, uh, a high school career, but nothing after that. Um, and seeing my own other family members do their thing within basketball. Whereas, whereas my little brother, um, eventually coming to high high school basketball prospect and, uh, him being off at Gonzaga right now and, and others, um, it’s, it’s been a beautiful thing. So I would say just my family and, um, my dad is the, the answer to be short

Tyrese:
Man. That’s awesome, man. I can definitely agree. You know, I count from a, you know, a household, you know, with my POS being in the army, you know, as well being armed forces, you know, so he definitely raised us to, you know, you know, be athletic, you know, be in sports and things of that nature. So I definitely can see where you’re coming from with that. And since we’re talking about, you know, your origin of, you know, with you being the sports, you decided to become a basketball agent, NBA agent, so, or the qualifications of becoming an NBA agent, how does that work? And, how did you go about it?

Deshaun:
Yeah, so, kind of moving on the timeline a little bit further after, um, after my father and our, our family’s nonprofit continued, I, uh, was able to play high school basketball, but there was about three pivotal years that, uh, really decided what was the deciding factor in me wanting to become an agent. So after seeing my brothers, essentially within the space as a freshman and sophomore at that time becoming a top player in the country, um, and myself working basketball tournaments here and there, and being a fixture within the basketball community, whether it’s, uh, through directors, uh, players alike and others, I eventually was able to, I would say intern for a national world, basketball trainer, a close family friend, uh, Rico Heins. So every summer, um, there’s the Ricoh Heins runs the EMF infamous Rico, hind runs at UCLA. And basically, every day is an all-star game for the most part to put it simply.

Deshaun:
Throughout those two years, Oh, and, and the, the opportunity that Rico gave me to be on the court and see players play at a high level, but also the business aspect of basketball, um, and the social aspect of basketball and what may be lacking, um, all between them, uh, really gave me a basis that, Hey, there’s something that needs to be done within this space, as far as providing a clear point of representation for players, um, a, a cleaner point of representation for players and one that reflected, the players backgrounds and, and in communities that they’re brought up in. So I kind of saw a niche there and with me being young and, but also being able to relate to players from a social-cultural standpoint, um, and that being lacking within MBPA itself, I decided, Hey, I really want to make some change. Um, so what it takes to become a certified agent is you need an undergraduate degree and, um, you basically need to know the collective bargaining agreement, which is the basis of, uh, operations within the MBA. So I don’t know if I answered your question

Bailey:
Now. That was the perfect answer for sure. What now I’m curious about what went into the decision for you to start something of your own, essentially bet on yourself after college, and not try to join another agency.

Deshaun:
I was fortunate to graduate from UCS, uh, early. I came in a, as a transfer. So, uh, I originally started at community college. Um, I came out of high school, didn’t get into the universities. I wanted to, I was able to do two years in one at a university about 64 units in a year, transferred to University of California, San Diego, and do two years there. Um, but I, I had that extra year to kind of like, Hey, I graduated early, what do I do? So I decided to get my master’s, within that year, I got it from Cal Baptist University and communications. And, um, just thinking about the basis and the fundamental elements of me as a human being. So for me, seeing an understanding of generational and incestual sacrifice internally and externally has led me to two words that I live bought its purpose and obligation.

Deshaun:
Resonating and witnessing underserved and underrepresented individuals within our space and the communities around it has gotten me to a life of servitude. Um, and in ways, if you think about it now, agents are the perfect service for athletes and, and business businesses and, and business professionals and, um, athlete professionals as I like to call them. Um, so from professionally to personally, I’ve set out to use, you know, my, those two words to my advantage, but also to implement them in everything I do. When I saw the glaring inequity within the sports world, um, and after interviewing for, uh, two of the top three sports agencies or the larger agencies within our business, I realized that I couldn’t get to that goal as quickly as I wanted to because, um, one, there’s only 186 certified black agents within this space, um, out of 400, 440, um, and only 7.5, 9% of them even represent athletes that look like that.

Deshaun:
Oftentimes it’s not a sole representation or a point of decision where I’m an athlete or a representative who clearly reflects the communities and the social-cultural lifestyle and understanding of these athletes can have, um, decision-making, that’s impactful within their day-to-day lives. So when I realized that, and I, and when I realized that I couldn’t get to that goal as quickly as possible, I decided why not take ownership in my own hands, um, and not only implement a system that can create true change, um, and not only sports, but academia and society, a light, but that can educate, empower and Edify, um, athletes. And that was, I was kind of the basis of starting my own agency and really inviting others within the agency to do some of themselves, um, and implement their own dreams and hopes of, uh, you know, uh, equality and, and really empowerment to all, to all athletes. So,

Tyrese:
Well, I want to say congratulations on, you know, you and your business and what you able to accomplish so far to Sean man, Mike, especially as what you said with, with the lack of, black, especially black, agents in this business, you know, um, there’s not that many, so, you know, just for you to be, take the initiative and start your own business, I know it’s tough and I know it’s rough, but I know you had your own trials and tribulations on, you know, contact and players and getting business off the ground. So how does the whole conversation between you and players start, do you reach out to them? Do they reach out to you? Who contacts, who first,

Deshaun:
You know, Tyrese, I’ve been very fortunate because I’ve grown up in this space. I’ve grown up in this space. Not only has my father had been a fixture within the space and the basketball community, uh, but my brother was also fortunate a top 100 basketball player. So a lot, a lot of my relationships are true. They’re genuine and they’re built over time. Um, so, uh, a lot of them are, are, are families that have experienced the same thing as me, the same things as me, or have witnessed, um, things like. So I’m not only coming from an agent’s perspective, but I’m truly coming from a brother, a brother perspective, a family member’s perspective and, and someone who’s seen the in and outs of this game, um, from a, from a personal and social standpoint. So with that being said, I’m thankful for those relationships, but oftentimes it’s not.

Deshaun:
I mean, there, there are a lot of cold calls and, and relationships that still need to be built, but I’ve had the fortune of having organic relationships with people in this space and, and, uh, families that are ascending within the space and in want to be involved professionally, whether that be in the NBA or overseas, um, or within the women’s space or, um, or in the G League. So all the way around, I’m just fortunate to have organic relationships with, with true and real people, um, within this space without having to weasel my way around or, or, um, interject in a, in a negative way. So would that being said, if there, if there, if there are any new people that I do reach out to, um, it’s, it’s, it’s usually through commonality or someone that I already know within the space. Fortunately.

Bailey:
Now Deshaun, I’m curious about, what do you look for in signing clients? I think younger basketball, specifically high school and college, there’s so much more popular now with social media. I mean, we just saw top-class come out on Amazon prime with the whole documentary on Sierra Canyon and just the exposure that these young athletes are getting is incredible. And I think that could be a good and bad thing. Are there any specific traits that you look for signing certain clients, or do you spend time, uh, watching highlight reels or checking in with them on their social media? How does that process go?

Deshaun:
Bailey, it’s funny that you mentioned top class, great production by I am, I am DB. Uh, my brother was actually featured in it. Uh, the Rancho Christians here get Sierra Canyon games. Uh, Oh, that’s right. Those are, those are great battles. Those are great battles. I love the, I love the platform that they gave Sierra Canyon. To answer your question, I truly look for a great human meaning, um, the agreement being that, that, that that’s all that matters. Someone who cares about the progression of themselves, the progression that people and, um, the progression of, of them as an athlete. So who’s a hundred percent committing to being the best version of themselves as a, as not only an athlete, but, uh, a brother, sister, cousin, uh, et cetera. So I think that’s my, that’s my biggest and main qualification. Um, one, do you hold yourself accountable to grow a, as an athlete, but also as a person?

Tyrese:
Great answers, man. Great answers. I definitely agree with those statements. Definitely want those types of players, you know, in your corner, especially, you know, especially as clients, you know, you definitely want somebody that has the same drive as you and your business and, um, you know, you represent each other equally in the same way, because not only are we recruiting them, they’re recruiting nuts. So we have to be up uphold. We have to hold ourselves to the same standards, you know, that, that, that there, that we required. So, um, and, and, and like they say iron sharpens iron, and, um, no matter how old it is, it’s still hiring at the end of the day. So as long as we’re looking to stay sharp, then, then we’re all going to be successful.

Tyrese:
Great words, man. Great word and I can definitely tell you that. Um, I can definitely see that, you know, you were very, um, very people’s person. Um, I can see why a lot of clients, uh, you know, definitely, um, want to work with you and, you know, just by this, by, you know, you’re just, like I said, the initiative to have you say until, you know, for you to have your own business, you know, you’re taking your own initiative to work with these guys, you know, they, they, you show, you know, all the capabilities of you becoming a great agent in this business, with that being said with your business or with you being an agent, what’s been the best part of it so far. I know you probably travel. I know you met a lot of people, as you said, networking, you know, talking to new people, maybe players, coaches, but what has been the best part of being an agent for you first?

Deshaun:
Thank you. Thank you for the wise words and the kind words. Um, I would say there have been two great parts of it. Uh, first is seeing families and, um, uh, athletes in the business professionals and athlete professionals realize their dreams and goals and achieve them. That’s, that’s the most important, rewarding part at the end of the day, seeing someone sacrifice and go through the Hills and valleys to eventually reach the mountain top. And secondly, it’s really just being in the gym, being in the gym with, with, uh, with everyone, like, like I said, I’m 24 years old. I’m 24 years old. I’ve been around the game. I’ve I play the game to a decent extent, but I stay in the gym with my players. I stay in the gym, everybody, if, um, throughout the summer, we’re up at 5:00 AM getting it in, in the gym, I’m there with them catching balls. Um, there’s nothing like that, that grind that and doing it together with somebody and then gets into that journey at the end of the day and, and, and then being successful. So I would say those are, those are the two parts then them being successful, but also that grind, that everyday grind being there together, seeing the, seeing the blood, sweat, and tears that they’re putting out every day and then just being a part of it, you know.

Bailey:
Deshaun, what makes a great agent, has there been someone you met in this industry that had certain qualities that stood out to you where you look at them and say, wow, that that’s a great agent right there.

Deshaun:
You know, I am. I think, I think that could be an ambiguous, ambiguous question in a way because I think everyone has their own answer. So I can’t, I would say a great agent is one who is determined to uplifting the game to uplifting whatever, whatever sport they’re, they’re participating in to truly uplifting it and making sure they’re doing it with morals values and, um, those who push diversity and inclusion, and those who are committed to, to really ensuring that everyone is becoming a human, being a better human being at the end of the day. So I’ve definitely had, um, great conversations with other agents. Uh, I definitely respect everything that they’re doing in the space. Um, and I just look forward to collaborating with, anyone along the way, and seeing them succeed as well as myself. So I’m, I’m, I’m really ruined for, um, the success of, of all agents, but I would love to see, um, more, more agents that look like our athletes come up and, uh, and implement themselves within the game and, and collaborate with RDS that was agents as well. So to answer your question, no one is knowing and specific, but I’m just excited about those who uplift the game and those who promote diversity inclusion along the way.

Tyrese:
And once again, great answers, man, especially like you said, we’re all in this together on what you definitely want to see. A lot more of, as I said, a lot more people of color, um, and you’re in this business, especially in sports business, um, not just athletes, but journalists, agents, doctors, and more people as well. But, um, continuing with, um, you know, with you being the agent, as you say, you just mentioned all those things and Bailey peeing off back on, um, what Bailey said, what are some do’s and don’ts for any young and upcoming people just as us, you know, just as you know, just as I mentioned, I’m 22 years old, I believe you and Bailey are 24. Can you give any advice to any young and upcoming agents on some do’s and don’ts of this business and how can they be successful?

Deshaun:
I would say the biggest dues, um, and this is something that we’re all constantly going through, right. Is, uh, sacrifice hold yourself accountable. Um, but also I think the man greatness out of yourself really really know that age is, is no true correlation for how successful you can be, but the progression is the main barometer. Um, and I would say for a lot of athletes, just to keep the main thing, the main thing, because at the end of the day, if you’re successful in your sport, um, everything is everything’s going to come after that. So if you’re a winner and, um, you PR you promote, you promote winning and you, and you contribute to winning, uh, either, either individually or within a team environment, then the Duso, um, I would say some don’ts is, is really just really, really don’t allow anyone in your circle, um, that doesn’t reflect your, your, your morals and values. Don’t be deterred by, anyone that doesn’t reflect your morals and values. Don’t collaborate with anyone that doesn’t reflect your more than values. And, um, always be creative, always be creative, I think is another dude. But I think that’s the biggest, don’t really just don’t, don’t sell yourself short, be all. You can be, be all you can be in this business. Um, and, and don’t settle.

Tyrese:
This conversation has been so refreshing for me. I don’t know why. I just, I feel like a breath of fresh air. And, Deshaun, I just love what you said in the beginning about your two most important words is purpose and obligation. I think that really goes a long way, not just in sports agencies, but just in life. Just having that purpose within you and understanding who you are and what you do. The amount of passion you have for this business is exemplified in your work. And I do hope others that watch this understand, uh, a lot of what you said, and it drives home the point. Uh, there needs to be more diversity in these agencies because it’s mainly represented in the athlete. So I, I completely agree with that and I want to make sure our audience checks out intrusive sports on socials, Instagram, Twitter, and Deshaun. I really appreciate you taking the time today.

Deshaun:
Appreciate it, both of y’all. And I’m so excited for your guys’ future within this business. Like you said, Bailey and Anton Greece, we’re a community. And as far as everyone goes, uh, as far as the PR, as far as our collective progression goes, so we can only, we can, our job is solely to continue the, the sacrifices that the generation before has had, um, whether it’s journalists or athletes alike, we have a job to, to, to leave behind something valuable and the people that come behind us. And, um, I think that’s what we’re doing.

Pivoting. That’s been one of the headlined words of this past year, and it correlates to what the NBA should do with its logo. Kyrie Irving put out an Instagram post saying Kobe Bryant should be the logo and said, “Gotta Happen, idc what anyone says. BLACK KINGS BUILT THE LEAGUE.”

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A post shared by Kyrie (Kaire) (@kyrieirving)

After the horrific crash that took Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others’ lives, this would be a great honor for one of the very best ever to bless an NBA court. Kyrie went into further detail after the Nets and Magic game Thursday night and said he believes it is his responsibility to push ideas like this forward.

"It needs to happen. I don't care what anyone says. Black kings built the league."

Kyrie Irving on why he wants the NBA logo to be changed to Kobe Bryant: pic.twitter.com/6EG1bYYy3h

— ESPN (@espn) February 26, 2021

Many news organizations and publications went into the economics and financial hit the NBA would face in changing the logo. They are missing the point. A logo is defined as a symbol adopted by an organization to identify its products, uniforms, etc. And a player from the 60’s just doesn’t cut it anymore.

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An NBA basketball court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. In meters, it’s 28.65 m long and 15.24 m wide. The WNBA and NCAA use an identical court size—94 feet long by 50 feet wide.

High school courts are a bit shorter, measuring 84 feet long by 50 feet wide. Junior high courts are even smaller, typically measuring 74 feet long and 42 feet wide. A FIBA court (used during international play such as the Olympics) is 91.86 feet long and 49.21 feet wide.

How Tall is a Basketball Hoop?

For junior high, high school, NCAA, WNBA, NBA and FIBA, the rim is exactly 10 feet off the ground. Rims at every level of play are 18 inches in diameter. Backboards are also the same size at each of these levels. A regulation backboard measures 6 feet wide and 42 inches (3.5 feet) tall.

What is the Distance of the 3-Point Line?

The 3-point line distance varies among different levels of play. The NBA 3-point line is 23.75 feet from the hoop, 22 feet in the corners. The FIBA 3-point line is 22.15 feet from the hoop, 21.65 feet in the corners. The WNBA uses the same 3-point line as FIBA.

At the NCAA level, the 3-point line distance is 20.75 feet, for both men and women. At the high school level, the 3-point line distance is 19.75 feet, for both boys and girls. Junior high uses the same 3-point line distance as high school.

What is Distance of the Free-Throw Line?

The distance of the free-throw line is measured from a point on the floor directly below the backboard. At the junior high, high school, NCAA, WNBA and NBA levels, the free-throw line is 15 feet away from this point. At the FIBA level, the free-throw line is actually a bit further—15.09 feet from the point.

How Big is The Key?

The size of the key, also commonly referred to as “the paint,” varies among levels of play. In the NBA, it’s 16 feet wide. Same goes for the WNBA. In FIBA, it’s 16.08 feet wide. At the NCAA level, the key is 12 feet wide. High school and junior high school use the same size key as the NCAA.

READ MORE:

• Basketball Sizes: A Quick Guide for All Levels of Play
• What is AAU Basketball?
• 4 Youth Basketball Drills that Teach the Fundamentals

The name Kobe Bryant is synonymous with work ethic.

The internet is saturated with inspiration from the 18-time NBA All-Star. “I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you”—so goes one of Bryant’s most revered quotes.

Many young NBA hopefuls look to Bryant as a beacon of excellence in a mediocre world and aim to replicate the same work habits that helped the Black Mamba become a global icon. However, kids of today have a very different relationship with basketball than Bryant did during his youth.

A recent article by ESPN senior writer Baxter Holmes takes a look at how overuse injuries have become seemingly unavoidable for the new generation of NBA players. These issues can largely be traced back to early specialization and enduring too heavy a workload too early in their physical development. A big piece of it is that kids now feel extreme pressure to play on travel teams to gain greater “exposure,” which can lead them to play a daunting number of games week after week, month after month, year after year. And those travel teams now cater to age groups younger than ever before.

The entire piece is well worth your time (and a follow-up is slated to be published this Friday), but Bryant’s comments stuck out as particularly interesting due to his reputation for being one of the hardest-working athletes in sports history.

Bryant didn’t start playing AAU basketball until he was 15 or 16, and even then, he competed in a total of maybe five tournaments in his AAU career plus a small number of all-star games. Prior to that, Bryant spent much of his childhood living in Italy, where he says he played just a couple organized games a month.

“It wasn’t like I was playing 10 games every week or some s— like that,” Bryant told ESPN. “I didn’t play any games. You shoot a little bit every day, and then, by the time you’re 15 or something like that, you start kicking it up a little bit and that’s when you start training harder. But before that, it’s just skill s—. Can you dribble with your left? Can you shoot properly?”

“I grew up playing, like, no games. We just played a game once every two weeks before I came back to the States.”

In Italy, Bryant spent much of his free time alternating between soccer and basketball. When he did play games, they were usually pick-up style with kids in his neighborhood. The extensive soccer experience ultimately helped him become a more dynamic (and likely healthier) basketball player. “You’d play soccer and then you’d play basketball, and then you’d play soccer again and you’d play basketball again,” Bryant, who wound up playing an incredible 20 seasons in the NBA, told ESPN in 2017. “It went on and on for eight years.”

“(Soccer) taught me at an early age how to play in triangles and how to utilize space, which wound up helping me tremendously in basketball as well. I loved the idea of how quickly the ball moves and how quickly you have to process what’s moving right in front of you to make decisions.”

Now retired from professional basketball, the 40-year-0ld Bryant has faced questions many modern sports parents must ask themselves. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, has grown up a talented basketball player, which has opened Bryant’s eyes to just how much youth sports have changed in the last two or three decades.

“She’s looking around at different stuff and you see there’s a lot. They could literally play every single weekend in club organized basketball at 10 years old. It’s like, why? I had to be like, ‘No,’” Bryant says.

“You try to overload these kids and get them to be the best in one year…It’s just absolutely ridiculous.”

Photo Credit: John Leyba/Getty Images

READ MORE:

• How ‘Joysticking’ Is Killing Youth Sports
• How to Escape the Travel Team Trap
• Why There’s No Such Thing as an ‘Elite’ Youth Athlete

In a recent issue of ESPN The Magazine, Baxter Holmes wrote a fascinating feature about how PB&J has taken over the NBA. Nearly every NBA team now makes PB&J sandwiches readily available to their players. The Milwaukee Bucks do it big—their spread usually includes three nut butters, a wide assortment of jellies, Nutella and three different types of bread from a local bakery. NBA stars like Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and Steph Curry all religiously eat PB&Js for their pre-game snack.

But the pre-game PB&J obsession doesn’t stop at the NBA. Countless elite athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL and PGA also rely on the classic sandwich.

Rob Gronkowski likes to have a little chocolate milk with his traditional pre-game PB&J. Andrew Miller—arguably the most dominant relief pitcher in baseball—always whips one up before he makes his way to the bullpen during the third inning. Derek Jeter took his pre-game PB&J about an hour before the first pitch. At roughly 5 p.m. prior to a game, Sidney Crosby scarfs down his mandatory PB&J. Dustin Johnson—who’s currently ranked as the No. 1 golfer in the world—was seen eating one during a round at last year’s U.S. Open (a tournament he won, by the way).

These are the elite of the elite, athletes capable of doing extraordinary things every time they compete. They’ve spent thousands of hours honing their bodies for victory. And they all rely on PB&J sandwiches—a snack most of us have been eating since before we were in grade school—for fuel during game day.

Here’s why the humble PB&J is a potent pre-game power up.

Carbs Count

“Peanut butter toast next to jelly toast. Isolated on white, shot from above.”

PB&Js are super simple, but there’s still a lot of room for variation in their preparation. To start, let’s establish a basic recipe:

• Two slices of bread
• Two tablespoons of peanut butter (typically one serving)
• One tablespoon of jelly (typically one serving)

Now, let’s whip up a hypothetical sandwich using popular conventional ingredients. We’ll start with two slices of Classic White Wonder Bread. We’ll add two tablespoons of JIF Creamy Peanut Butter. Then we’ll finish off with a tablespoon of Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly. Here’s what the nutrition facts look like for that hypothetical PB&J:

430 calories, 18 g fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 450 mg sodium, 58 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 16 g sugar, 14 g protein

Let’s break down why this sandwich might work for an athlete as a pre-game meal.

The biggest plus is the high amount of carbs. To get as many carbs as you’d find in this PB&J, you’d have to consume more than two bananas. Most of the aforementioned athletes are eating their PB&Js one to two hours before game time, a window of time when carb consumption is crucial. Dr. Wayne Phillips, a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, says, “When you consume carbs, your body converts them into a form of sugar called glucose that can be used for energy. The glucose, in turn, is changed to glycogen so that it can be easily stored in your muscles and liver for later use. It is the predominant storage form of glucose and carbohydrates in humans, and it’s an essential fuel source for the body during all forms of exercise.”

Prior to games and high-intensity training, simple carbohydrates are critical. Simple carbs are carbs that can be digested quickly. They’re made of just one or two sugar molecules, allowing them to be digested rapidly and produce energy quickly. A PB&J is high in simple carbs, thanks in large part to the fruit jelly or jam.

Running out of simple carbs during a game can make you feel like you’re moving underwater. Your first step will be slower, you’ll have trouble finishing plays, and your reactions won’t be as sharp. “Human bodies don’t necessarily stop when they run out of carbs, but they do slow down,” says Robert Anding, Director of Sports Nutrition at the Houston Children’s Hospital. When you see Russell Westbrook dive bomb his way through the defense and throw down a thunderous slam in the fourth quarter? Such an exquisite display of athleticism wouldn’t be possible if he didn’t adequately fuel up on carbs.

The protein provided by a PB&J is also a plus. Protein is the major player in muscle recovery, but it can also be used to provide fuel during high-intensity training in a process known as gluconeogensis. However, protein takes a while to digest and can make you feel full, so you don’t want to scarf down a ton of it prior to a game. The 14 grams in a PB&J is a nice amount, since it offers many of the benefits of pre-activity protein consumption without slowing you down.

The 450 mg of sodium is actually quite useful for an athlete. Though 9 out of 10 Americans consume too much sodium, increasing their risk of high blood pressure, heart failure and a range of other health issues, athletes are a different breed.

The recommended daily level of sodium intake is 1,500 mg—about what you find in 2/3 teaspoon of table salt. (Note: While many equate salt with sodium, sodium is in fact a component of salt. Table salt is about 40 percent sodium; the rest is chloride.) But that number is much higher for athletes who train and compete hard, since sodium is an electrolyte. Sodium helps maintain blood pressure and fluid balance throughout the body, and if you don’t have sufficient levels in your body, your muscles can weaken and cramp. Athletes need more sodium than the general population since they sweat more often and for longer durations, and sodium is lost through perspiration.

“Salty sweaters” are people who lose more sodium through sweat than the average person, and they need to consume even more sodium through dietary sources to prevent dehydration and cramping. Just how big a role can sodium play in athletic performance? Well, a 2015 study found that triathletes who replaced 71 percent of the sodium they lost during a Half Ironman finished an average of 26 minutes faster than triathletes who replaced only 20 percent of lost sodium.

RELATED: Grab The Salt Shaker: Why Athletes Need More Sodium

The last thing a professional athlete wants to feel during a game is bloated and sluggish. Anyone who’s tried to work out on a full stomach knows that pain—it’s like you’re moving around with a pair of ankle weights on. This is another area where the PB&J excels. Volumetrically speaking, a PB&J doesn’t take up a huge amount of space in your stomach. It’s nutrient-dense, but it won’t make you feel like you just ate a full Sunday dinner. That means a player can have it an hour or two before action without worry. It also cannot be overlooked that many of these athletes have been eating PB&Js for their entire lives. This means the sandwich can be a form of comfort before a high-pressure competition and that the athletes know exactly what to expect from it.

Unlike more complex dishes, there’s little risk that a PB&J will wreak havoc on your digestive system. The athletes know exactly how it sits in their stomach and how they feel after eating one, an important factor in sports nutrition. They can chow down on a PB&J without having to think twice, allowing them to focus on more pressing matters—like winning a ball game.

A Versatile Sandwich

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich

It’s very easy to customize your PB&J to better fit your personal nutritional needs.

For example, when Dwight Howard was trying to clean up his sugar-laden diet, his nutritionist changed the recipe for his beloved PB&Js. Gone were the conventional ingredients and in came sourdough bread, organic peanut butter and low-sugar jelly. Thanks to the lactic acid that ferments the dough in sourdough bread, it’s easier to digest than conventional bread. The lactic acid also makes the vitamins and minerals in the flour more easily available to the body, and they render the gluten more digestible. Organic peanut butters are typically lower in sugar than conventional peanut butters, but they don’t sacrifice any of their valuable protein. Low-sugar jelly is pretty self-explanatory. Howard was already consuming way too many simple carbs in other areas of his diet, so he adjusted his PB&J to fit his needs.

RELATED: 9 Athlete-Approved Peanut Butter Sandwiches

When it comes to PB&Js, the options for customization are endless. Want more complex carbs, which give you a steady stream of long-lasting energy? Use whole grain bread. Less sugar? Use organic nut butters. A high-carb alternative to jam or jelly? Try honey or banana slices. No matter how you customize it, your sandwich will still have many of the same strengths as a conventional PB&J (high carbs, easy on the stomach, etc.), so it’s really about what works best for you.

The Verdict

Closeup horizontal photo of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut in half, inside white plate on textured table cloth underneath

There’s a reason so many elite athletes turn to PB&Js for their pre-game or halftime meal—it works. The simple carbs give players fast energy; the modest amount of protein helps them stay strong without weighing them down; and the sodium helps them stay hydrated. The modest-sized sandwich also doesn’t sit heavy in their stomachs, and the easy customization options allow players to tailor their sandwiches to their exact needs. Is a PB&J the only thing you should eat leading up to a game? Maybe not, but it can be a great complement to other simple pre-game snacks.

The PB&J sandwich has been a pre-game staple for years, and with so many players eating them religiously on game day, it doesn’t look like it’ll be going away any time soon.

RELATED: 4 Easy Breakfast to Help You Power Through a Morning Workout 

Those three words are guaranteed to grab any Utah Jazz player’s attention.

Initially brought to the franchise by former head coach Jerry Sloan, the Stockton Drill is a hellacious test of anaerobic endurance, coordination and will.

The Jazz use it in many contexts, such as an end-of-practice conditioning drill, but its most famous application is as a final test for already-tired prospects during pre-draft workouts.

Here’s how the Stockton Drill works:

• The player starts at one end of the court. On go, they must dribble down the court using only their off-hand (so if they’re right-handed, their left hand) and make a lay-up.
• They then must immediately turn around and dribble back to the other basket, again using only their off-hand, and make another lay-up.
• The drill is complete when the player makes six lay-ups in this fashion.
• The catch: to make their time “official,” a player can only take three dribbles each time up the floor.
• During pre-draft workouts with the Jazz, guards and wings are given 32 seconds to complete the drill. Bigs are allowed 34 seconds.

“We’ve had guys go through this drill and once they’re finished, they just go flying and laying out on the floor because they’re so tired,” Walt Perrin, the team’s Vice President of Player Personnel, told UtahJazz.com.

“It’s a conditioning drill, but it’s also a drill where you can see coordination in terms of using the off hand. And again, it’s towards the end of the workout, which is pretty tough for some of these guys. (John Stockton) has the record. I think it’s like 28 seconds. Most of these guys are struggling to get 32. I think Karl (Malone) was maybe at 30.”

Stockton’s phenomenal time is why the drill now bears his name inside the organization. It’s alternatively known simply as the Six Lay-Up Drill. To give some context to Stockton’s record-setting time of 28 seconds, Perrin claims he’s yet to see a prospect break 30.

The point guard’s hustle was legendary. Sloan has said he saw Stockton lose a Suicide Drill just once during his 19-year playing career, and it was on a day when he was sick.

“The Stockton drill…it’s a beast,” Donovan Mitchell recently told The Athletic.

It’s safe to assume Mitchell must’ve done fairly well in the Stockton Drill during his pre-draft workout. The Jazz were so impressed with him after said workout that general manager Dennis Lindsey threatened to fire any staff member who divulged too many details on his performance, lest they blow their chance to land the dynamic star out of Louisville.

After a draft night deal with the Denver Nuggets, the Jazz got their man.

Photo Credit: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

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