This is a photo package of Ellijah Russell, he is a senior at the University of Oregon and plays on inter-mural basketball teams as well as men’s league teams. These photos were taken just hours before his scheduled game on February 11th.
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Ellijah Russell, 23, gets starts to warm up hours before his men’s league game on February 11th, 2023, at the University of Oregon Student Rec Center. It is his first men’s league game since he hurt his foot after the shoe ripped while he was playing pick-up basketball a few weeks ago.
Russell starts his warmup with free throws before he starts to shoot longer ranged shots. “I like starting off with free throws because it is what I have found to be the best way to get into a focused mindset before I play”.
Russell stated that a key focus of his while he was waiting for his new shoes to come was to have a high release point on his shots to give the ball a better angle to go to the hoop at. So far, Russell has seen improvement on his shots not ending up short.
Russell prepares to release his improved shot above his head. “I previously released my shot closer in line with my eyes; I think it resulted in not getting enough arch on my shots and that why they always ended up short.”
Lastly, Russell likes to end his warmups with full court layups to get his legs warmed up. “It gets the heart rate up and has been the best way I’ve found to combine running and jumping into my warm ups.”