Basketball star Isaac Max Adelman, 22, is making strides in the collegiate world toward a promising future in sports, and the 6’5” guard is currently preparing for his final collegiate season.
A born and raised Memphian, Max is proud to compete locally with Rhodes College, having previously played at Vanderbilt and Emory Universities. He says, “There is such a deep basketball history in Memphis, and it’s contributed to my love for the game. It’s an honor to play here.”
From humble beginnings taking shots with a Fisher-Price hoop as a three-year-old to playing intramural basketball at JCC Memphis and throughout high school, Max says he owes much credit to his mother, Rebecca Adelman, who instilled “all the values of what it meant to be a high-caliber athlete.”
“She didn’t just encourage an athletic lifestyle, but lived one.” He explained that Rebecca woke up daily at 4:30 a.m. during his childhood to work out while supporting him as a single mother. She’s also run over 30 marathons, one ultramarathon, and is a triathlete.
“My mom is so important in my basketball journey and is the motivation for why I do what I do. She is my biggest role model, teacher, coach, and critic.”
Now, as a collegiate athlete, Max’s basketball schedule is nothing short of grueling, with six four-hour practice days competing for his attention as a full-time student.
Max realized he needed to allocate more time towards wellness as his basketball commitments grew. “I was spending 30-40 hours weekly with basketball and just 0-1 on self-care,” he recalls.
Among the vegetarian’s new priorities are nutrition and getting ample sleep every night, emphasizing that “without sleep, your body has no time to recover.” He also sees Grace Vedala at Memphis MFR Yoga for myofascial release and massage. “It’s been so important in my recovery and keeping my body healthy,” he says.
“Things like meditation, visualization, and even Pilates helps a lot with my mental focus,” he adds. “They keep me grounded while playing basketball and going to class.”
Max began dabbling in Pilates this past summer at DOSE Pilates in Memphis, using it as his primary strength-building activity, with five weekly classes.
“I feel stronger going into this season than past ones,” he explains of Pilates, with its added benefits of sauna-like conditions and mobility.
Max’s aspirations have also led him to be recruited for and to play internationally with the Maccabiah Games. The multi-sport event is held every four years in Israel. It brings Jewish athletes together to compete in a wide range of sports, fostering cultural connection, unity, and Jewish identity through sportsmanship.
“I take pride in my heritage. There are not many Jewish basketball players — only one in the NBA right now — so it’s been an opportunity to play basketball and connect with other Jews from around the world.”
In the summer of 2025, Max plans to compete again in the Maccabiah Games in Israel for Team USA, with dreams of one day playing abroad professionally.
You can watch Max compete for Rhodes College during their first home game on November 15 against Belhaven University at 7 p.m. in the Mallory Gymnasium.
IG: @Maxadelman_
2024-25 Men’s Basketball Schedule – Rhodes College Athletics Rhodeslynx.com
By Shlomit Ovadia
Photo by Tindall Stephens
