Welcome to the Playoffs...

It’s been a while since I sent out this newsletter, and I’ve got a very straightforward reason why…

I’ve been dog-tired.

The overseas basketball season is not for the weak.

We’re going on nine months now—nine months away from family, nine months of daily practices, nine months of intense emotional ups and downs.

It’s longer than any other professional basketball season.

The NBA is already in the second round of their playoffs. We start ours on Friday.

Make that make sense.

Anyway, my mental, emotional, and physical battery has been slowly draining. Naturally, I had to conserve the energy I had for what’s most important…

But now, it’s money time.

The Playoffs.

This is when the stakes are highest—and when you have to be at your best.

So let’s talk about my mindset heading into this next phase.

A Quick Plug (literally)

If you’re subscribed here, I’m assuming you probably follow me on one of my other platforms—YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.

If so, then you’ve probably seen my partnership with Kickz.com.

I get all my shoes while living in Europe from Kickz. They’ve got the best selection, always 100% authentic (Lord knows I’ve been scammed before), and they actually carry the big sizes I need. They also do sneaker releases and raffles for those hard-to-get pairs—like Kobe’s.

So, if you're trying to add some heat to your rotation, definitely check them out.

I’ve even got a discount code for you: “TREY”. It’s only 5% off, but hey, shoes are expensive. Every bit helps.

Everyone’s Tired, and Nobody Cares

This time of year is a mental battle for overseas players.

First off, every player is exhausted. If they say they’re not, they’re lying. But this is also when it matters most. This is when you win championships. This is how you make a name for yourself overseas—and how you get paid next season.

Teams want winners. So win, and win when it counts.

Then there’s the homesickness. You start seeing other guys back in the States and man—it looks and sounds amazing. But you’ve got to check that feeling. If they’re home, that means they don’t have this opportunity we’ve got right now.

It becomes this constant internal tug-of-war: wanting to go home vs. wanting to win a title. You’ve got to ask yourself: Which one matters more?

It’s the classic case of “what feels good now” vs. “what’s going to feel better in 20 years.” Home is great, but looking back on your career and remembering those championships? Even better.

You need to zoom out, think big picture, and choose the lasting reward over the quick fix.

And then—your body is screaming. Mine is begging for a break. Like a don’t touch or even think about a basketball kind of break. So this is when you’ve got to get creative with how you recharge.

What gives you a little surge of energy?

For me, it’s taking walks with my dogs. Just moving my body a little bit outside of practice helps me feel way better the next day. That stuff adds up.

At this point, it’s a day-to-day grind. How I spend my time off the court has become just as important as how I show up on it.

And look—my body hurts, my mind’s full, and guess what?

Nobody cares.

It’s go time.

Find a way.

Forget the Past

The playoffs are a season of their own.

It’s like hitting reset.

Whether you had a great regular season or one you’d rather forget—it’s over. Done.

What matters now is how you show up today. How you attack Game 1.

Put your best foot forward. Plant your flag. Let people know that the best version of you is here—and he’s not going anywhere.

A few great games—or a few rough ones—can completely shift the way people see you.

This is the time that counts. Treat it like it matters.

Go all in.

This Week’s YouTube Video

Okay, it’s been a minute, so there’s actually a bunch of new videos, but here are the two most recent ones:

My parents came out to Lisbon for both games, and neither one disappointed.

One was a game-winning shot against our rivals.

The other? A wild brawl that left both teams finishing with just five players on the court.

Some crazy stuff.

I’ll Leave You With This:

The season is long.

Everyone’s mentally, emotionally, and physically drained.

The playoffs come down to who can tune out the noise and buckle down.

It’s time to get the job done.

It’s time to be your best.

Let’s get it.

Love you guys,

Trey