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Elijah Bryant Opens Up About Comeback Doubts Following Offseason Surgery Elijah Bryant has revealed that he had serious doubts about his ability to return to his best level after undergoing surgery during the offseason. The Hapoel Tel Aviv guard admitted that the rehabilitation period was mentally challenging, with uncertainty surrounding how his body would respond once he returned to competitive basketball. Bryant entered the new EuroLeague season in impressive form, averaging 16.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists across his first three games. His performances helped Hapoel Tel Aviv win two of those opening three matches, while the American was also named EuroLeague MVP of the Round following a standout week. But his excellent start came after a summer that was far more difficult than the numbers might suggest. Bryant explained that instead of spending the offseason preparing normally for the new campaign, he was focused on rehabilitation following surgery. The process involved daily treatment, recovery work and waiting for his body to respond. One of his biggest concerns was whether he would regain the explosiveness that has been an important part of his game. He questioned whether he would be able to move in the same way again and whether he could return as the same player. Those doubts became particularly difficult during the quieter moments of his rehabilitation. Despite those concerns, Bryant continued working through the recovery process and eventually returned to the court in excellent condition. His early-season performances have provided perhaps the strongest answer to the questions he had been asking himself during the summer. Rather than struggling to regain his rhythm, Bryant immediately became one of Hapoel Tel Aviv's most influential players. His scoring, rebounding and playmaking have all contributed to the team's strong opening to its EuroLeague campaign. The 31-year-old also credited his faith and the support of his family for helping him remain patient throughout the rehabilitation process. Bryant acknowledged that he initially wanted to train as hard as possible and return according to his own schedule. Surgery forced him to take a different approach and accept that recovery could not be rushed. That change in mindset ultimately became an important part of his comeback. His story also highlights the psychological side of returning from injury. While physical rehabilitation is visible to outsiders, the uncertainty experienced by an athlete during recovery can be much harder to see. For Bryant, the doubts have now been replaced by confidence. After wondering during the offseason whether he would be able to regain his explosiveness and perform at his previous level, he has started the new campaign among Hapoel Tel Aviv's leading performers. The challenge now is to maintain that level throughout a long season. If his opening performances are any indication, Bryant's difficult offseason may ultimately become one of the most important chapters of his career, proving that patience, consistency and confidence can turn a period of uncertainty into a successful comeback.