March 2025 — UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers is making an impact off the court by supporting her fasting teammate, Jana El Alfy, during Ramadan as the Huskies compete in the NCAA Tournament.
El Alfy, a redshirt freshman from Cairo, Egypt, observes Ramadan by fasting from sunrise to sunset. Understanding the challenges of balancing high-level competition with fasting, Bueckers has taken it upon herself to cook breakfast for her teammate before dawn, ensuring she has enough energy to perform.
“That was really, really sweet of her,” El Alfy told CT Insider. “Being away from home is tough, but my teammates made it so much easier for me.”
Bueckers not only prepares El Alfy’s Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) but also makes sure she wakes up in time to eat. Before UConn’s second-round matchup against South Dakota State, Bueckers knocked on El Alfy’s door to wake her.
“I was like, ‘Jana, wake up! I didn’t make these scrambled eggs for nothing!'” Bueckers joked.
Other teammates, including Caroline Ducharme and Allie Ziebell, have also joined El Alfy for early morning meals, while KK Arnold has already volunteered to continue the tradition next season when Bueckers is expected to enter the WNBA.
El Alfy, a 6-foot-5 center, is observing Ramadan while competing in March Madness for the first time after missing last season due to an Achilles injury. Though she is away from her family’s traditional iftar gatherings, she stays connected with them through FaceTime.
Despite the physical and mental challenges of fasting while competing, El Alfy remains committed, crediting her teammates and staff for their unwavering support.
“I feel blessed and grateful to be surrounded by this group,” she said. “They always check in on me and offer encouragement. I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.”
