UConn players navigate Ramadan fast during Final Four
Associated PressHOUSTON — For UConn players Adama Sanogo, Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra, a traditional pregame meal before Saturday night’s Final Four matchup against Miami won’t be possible. “I’ll drink my coconut water and eat some fruit,” said Sanogo, the team’s leading scorer. “That’s all I need to get ready for the game and I’ll be fine.” James Doran is the team’s associate head athletic trainer and the man in charge of making sure the three players have what they need to navigate playing basketball while fasting. “It was a bigger challenge out West because we were playing so early, and it was like really in the middle of probably being at his weakest in terms of those things.” For instance, their game against Gonzaga last Saturday in Las Vegas started so early the three players couldn’t eat until halftime. “Because making sure they’re loaded up on electrolytes will help them retain more water while they’re not allowed to drink or not allowed to hydrate.” As the scent of food waiting for the rest of the team wafted through the locker room Friday, Diarra was asked if situations like that made fasting more difficult.
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