For many, music is a push factor against the demons of anxiety and nervousness before a competition. For others, a pre-game playlist is a "Secret sauce" used to stir up and release whatever is channeled within them in an effort to lead their team to victory.
Today we begin a new series titled "Gameday Playlist Vibes," which feature must-play pre-game songs from rising basketball stars in New Jersey. Next up is Rumson Fair-Haven guard Teddy Sourlis. The sensational shooter has put together a stellar high school career thus far. He recently announced he will be continuing his collegiate career at Babson. Enjoy the jams from the senior guard below.
As told to by Christian Mordi / @thedribbledrop
“Dark Queen” - Lil Uzi Vert
Lil Uzi is the new wave & he clearly changed the game. His voice, swag, & beats make him so unique that it’s impossible not to like him. I listen to “Dark Queen” before every game because he’s rapping about his parents and at the end of the day, family comes before everything. My parents are the two most important people in my life & I just try and remind myself of that before every game. One day basketball won’t be there, but my family will be.
“Needed Me” - Rihanna
This one probably isn’t on a lot of people’s pre-game playlist, but the song bangs. I’m a big Rihanna fan...but regardless, the song is fire. Rihanna doesn’t care what anybody thinks so she just does her & lives her life the way that she wants. That’s the attitude I bring into every game: I just try to play ‘my game’ every time I step onto the floor and do whatever it takes to help my team win the game that night.
“Up All Night” - Drake & Nicki Minaj
I love listening to throwback songs. Songs that you never really hear about after a year or two...it’s always refreshing to here those. “Up All Night” is a song that gets me going because young Drizzy killed the game and every time I hear this song, I rap every word.
He says “We the only thing that matters,” that’s how I feel before every game while sitting in the locker room with my teammates vibin out. Nothing else matters at that moment, but my brothers in that room.
“Self-Made” - Bryson Tiller
Bryson Tiller went off on this one. The beat itself is crazy, but the lyrics bring it to a new level. “Self-Made” is a song that is essentially all about yourself. Not in an arrogant way, but having the confidence and swagger to live your life and do things that make yourself happy. I try to carry the fact that the ‘only people you need to believe in what you do is yourself’ into every game.
People doubt you can do things, but when you prove them wrong, it’s the best feeling in the world. This song gets me hyped during pre-game because it gives me the confidence to achieve whatever I want.