After their year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, Rams Men’s Basketball team shared their struggles with mental health throughout the pandemic.
For many professional and university athletes playing their sport has been a part of their daily routine for many years. As a result, players have had to follow regimented schedules revolving around attending practices, working out and eating healthy, that was until the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
University athletes were not allowed to practice or play as a team until this Fall 2021 season, and many players throughout the break had to take time to reflect on their mental well-being.
For Rams point guard Ankit Choudhary, checking his mental health was an essential part of getting through the pandemic. “Mentally, I was just trying to grow,” said Choudhary. “I was doing a lot of self-reflection and just working on myself.”
How Players Cope
Self-care for many of the players was fundamental to coping with the long hiatus of not playing. As a result, numerous players practiced some form of self-care, whether that be reading a book, doing yoga or meditating.
“I may listen to music just to keep my mind right, cause it gets pretty hectic, and you need to do things to just cool down with,” said Rams Forward Aaron Rhooms.
Rams coach David DeAveiro has taken on the responsibility of ensuring that his players are in good mental health before returning to this season.
“It’s been a grind for a lot of kids in terms of their mental (health) during this COVID thing. Not being able to do whatcha love to do has been hard,” said DeAverio.
Throughout his time coaching, DeAverio also understands the importance of having “off-the-court relationships” with his players to better understand who they are as individuals.
“Just talking to them about whatever, it isn’t just basketball,” said DeAveiro. “Getting to know them besides basketball players and really building that trust so that they can come and talk to you about just about anything.”
Coach DeAveiro believes that basketball’s most important aspect isn’t the physical component, but rather the mental state of his players. Without a sense of “mental toughness,” players will lose confidence in themselves, leading many to not perform to their greatest capability.
What’s Next?
Returning to a regular season for the Rams team will not be easy. After months away from the game and each other, it will take hard work and dedication to overcome the mental struggles they all faced during the pandemic. But with the support from their teammates and coaches, the Rams can look forward to a great season.
