Patrick Beverley, the tenacious former NBA guard, surprised fans this summer by joining Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv instead of re-signing with an NBA team. As he settles into his new life overseas, Beverley has embraced not only a new team but also new cultural experiences—including attempting the 25-hour Yom Kippur fast, a significant practice in Judaism. In an Instagram video three hours into the fast, Beverley admitted, “I’m struggling. I’m hungry as a motherf**ker.” And later added, “I got 22 hours left. I don’t think this is a good idea folks,” showing his respect for the tradition and the challenge it presented.
Beverley’s decision to join Hapoel Tel Aviv came after he felt undervalued by the NBA, where he was offered only minimum contracts despite his consistent defensive prowess. The 36-year-old was vocal about feeling he deserved more, particularly compared to players like Kyle Lowry and Russell Westbrook. In contrast, the Israeli club offered him a two-year, $4 million contract, plus an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. “They gave me everything I asked for… I couldn’t refuse,” Beverley shared, appreciating the freedom to showcase his full skill set abroad, beyond his 3-and-D role in the NBA.
While he hasn’t ruled out a future NBA return, Beverley is currently focused on helping Hapoel Tel Aviv succeed—and seeing if he can conquer the Yom Kippur fast.
