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game, the best way to do that is to be a good teammate. Part of preparation means knowing your role on the team, knowing the

game plan, and sticking to it. This unselfish play will help to make it easier for the other players on the team to do their jobs and thus make them better. One of the big keys to being at your best at game time is paying attention to maintaining proper game day nutrition. Without the right kind of fuel, optimal

– Mike Muscala, NBA power forward “For a game day, I’ll get a room service breakfast at like 9 a.m. I like omelets or sausage-and-egg biscuits or waffles or fruit. That’s the biggest thing for me. I have to eat breakfast, and if I don’t, my metabolism just isn’t working and it’s not good for me. I find if I miss break- fast, it’s hard for me to keep weight.”

performance will be hard to reach. A healthy, balanced

diet is important for athletes like basketball players every day, but on game day, there are special nutritional needs that should be met to prepare the body for the massive energy burn to come. Experts recommend a high carbohydrate meal about two to three hours before game time for basketball players. Complex carbohydrates will provide a consistent supply of energy as they break down in your system throughout the game. Examples of good pregame meal choices include whole wheat pasta or peanut butter or submarine sandwiches. If there is no time for a large meal, it is a good idea to have a snack about an hour before playing. Items like nuts and fruit make good snacks, with the fruit providing carbohydrates with natural sugar and nuts providing protein.

“

If you nap every game day, a ll those hours add up, and it a llows you to get through the season better.

”

— Steve Nash,

two-time NBA MVP

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