“I was assuming I wasn’t going to get a lot of time,” he acknowledged on Thursday.
He was correct. Elezaj has only seen action in five games this season, all in garbage time at the end of blowouts. In fact, he’s yet to see the floor in 2026, with all five of his appearances occurring before New Year’s.
Still, his season in Storrs has been rewarding.
“Being around those guys, I’m learning a lot,” Elezaj said. “Playing against Eric (Reibe) and Tarris (Reed Jr.), I’m learning a lot. It’s helping me get better every day.”
And, ostensibly, helping Reibe and Reed get better, as well.
“I’m trying my best to,” he said.
Prior to player introductions each game, Elezaj can be seen off to the side, usually near the baseline closest to UConn’s bench, eyes closed, head bowed, arms bent at the elbow, palms facing the sky. As a Muslim, it’s part of his pregame routine.
“I like to pray before every game,” he noted.
Elezaj typically observes the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a 30-day period of fasting, prayer and reflection that comes to an end on Thursday. But not this year.
“The practices are long, I have a lot of things to do,” he noted. “It was harder, so that’s why I decided not to do it this year. But next year, I’ll probably do it.”
A few other team members have observed Ramadan, including director of player development Mamadou Diarra and graduate assistant T.J. Gibbs. Another grad assistant, Shelton’s Rich Kelley, also observes, but only halfway: he drinks liquids after sunset, though he still refrains from eating after dark.
In the past, UConn standouts like Adama Sanogo, Samson Johnson and Hassan Diarra observed Ramadan in the midst of the NCAA Tournament. Fasting after sunset could take its toll on players, though it didn’t prevent that trio from winning national championships in 2023 and (for Johnson and Diarra) 2024.