“We competed a lot, but the most important thing, we got a chance to get to know each other.” This was Patrick Beverley’s first impression upon joining his new team, Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv, for training camp. While he could very likely have bagged another NBA contract, Beverley took a big step this summer by choosing to play overseas instead. And the former Lakers star has already begun picking up on the culture and learning the ways of his new teammates as he took on a tough 25-hour challenge. However, mere hours into the challenge, Pat Bev started regretting his decision.

Following a conversation with his Israeli teammates, Beverley decided to try the Yom Kippur fast, which is a holy practice in Judaism. To successfully complete the fast, a person needs to abstain from all food and drinks for 25 hours, lasting from pre-sunset an evening before to post-sunset on Yom Kippur. But Beverley, who is not used to this practice, began struggling within three hours of starting his fast. In an Instagram video captioned “3 hours in. Yom Kippur”, the veteran guard said, “Boys and girls, I’m struggling. I’m hungry as a motherf**ker.” He even posted a story writing, “The struggle is real I’m starving. Yom Kippur.” With a facepalm emoji.

Then, he even hinted at regretting his decision to take up this challenge, “I’m starving. Yeah, I’m starving. I got 22 hours left. I don’t think this is a good idea folks.” However, he did get some expert tips from his Hapoel Tel Aviv teammates to make the challenge a bit 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 something was very strong, especially because he had a water bottle sitting right in front of him. But why is Patrick going 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 addressing his diminished role in the NBA

During the summer, Beverley could have signed with another NBA team, but it would have very likely been on 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 take the minimum. I don’t think that’s fair to me. I work on my craft harder than a lot of guys in the NBA. Once you take one minimum, teams are going to offer you another one.” Despite his age, Beverley averaged 6.2 points last season and was a solid defensive presence.

Meanwhile, the Israeli club offered him a two-year $4 million deal along with an additional million in potential bonuses based on the team’s performance. And Beverley took that offer. “They gave me everything I asked for… I couldn’t refuse.” While he could have made similar money staying in the league, the freedom he will get playing for his new team in Israel might not have been an option in the States, “I had a phenomenal NBA career, but I don’t want to stand in the corner.”

Sure enough, he had turned into more of a three-and-D guy as he got older. But he can finally showcase his other skills overseas. However, he has not ruled out a future return to the NBA, “The doors are always open. Who knows what’s going to happen next year?” But for now, he is only focused on helping his new team succeed and completing the Yom Kippur fast.