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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

After less than five months in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, Patrick Beverley’s international career is already at a crossroads. The former NBA pro is considering an exit just a few weeks after he was praising the amenities in Israel. However, circumstances outside the league are affecting his personal life. He is engaged to Mandana Bolourchi, who is from Iran. The escalating political tensions between Israel and Iran are causing stress in his relationship. However, the team is hoping otherwise.

Patrick Beverley signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv after a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks. On the Pat Bev podcast this week, he confessed he’s navigating a sensitive family issue due to the global crisis.

I’m in Tel Aviv, Israel, right now. Since I’ve been there, it’s been absolutely phenomenal the way I’m treated, the freedom I get, playing basketball, the way the Jewish Community has accepted me, and the way my team embraced me,” Beverley said.

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I’m almost like a spokesperson for Israeli sports. But a lot of people don’t understand that I have a fiancée who’s from Iran. Me being here is causing a lot of added stress from both families.” He is apparently being pulled in two directions. He’s now facing family pressure to leave the team and the league but his teammates and coaches at Hapoel want him to stay for a shot at the championship.

I ain’t gonna say she hit me with an ultimatum, but I got some decisions to make,” the guard said. “When I say a lot of pressure, I mean a lot of pressure from both of our families. My kids, mum, her side. It’s just very, very complicated.”

USA Today via Reuters

A dad of two, Beverley implies his son and daughter are also involved in this decision. He doesn’t explicitly say what Bolourchi wants either. He has yet to make an official decision though.

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Patrick Beverley is split between family and basketball

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Should Patrick Beverley prioritize family over basketball, or can he balance both in this tense situation?

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Mandana Bolourchi is better known as an influencer, entrepreneur, and model. She’s lived in multiple countries but work has also kept her in Los Angeles often. Bolourchi and Beverley have been together since 2021 and she was a frequent presence at his NBA games.

The situation has put her in the spotlight but she’s remained quiet on social media. Beverley, however, spoke about his dilemma. He even made a lighthearted quip that, “She’s richer than me.” He reiterated that it’s not about the money but his love for basketball.

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However, the pressure from their families is making it difficult to play. “I’m left a lot of days drained. It just put a lot of added pressure on my relationship.” He hasn’t clarified what is the timeline she gave him either.

Bringing in Dimitris Itoudis to coach the team and Beverley’s defensive talent has made Hapoel top title contenders. But he’s getting pressed to make a decision in the middle of the season. Overall, Beverley summarized his situation as “Just a very tough and complicated situation for me, a very stocky situation.”

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