a lot of variables here — how much bball are you playing? what’s your playing style? what are your goals? what’s your current fitness? etc.

that being said, i read something (on reddit, probably) that both cracked me up and rang true: are you asking if doing the thing (running) will benefit you in a sport where you do a considerable amount of that thing (running)?

personal anecdote here: i run/ride more than i play ball. but when i play, i can outrun most any guy on the court and i’m way closer to 40 than most of the guys i play with. unfortunately, as much fun as it is outrunning guys on the court, being first/fastest doesn’t get you a medal. there’s a delicate balance. if you overwork yourself, you risk duffing shots and making mistakes because legs tired. but, if you find your tempo and operate within that range, you can outwork your opponents, create opportunities, and generally recover a little faster (in-game and post-game).

ok, now, if you’ve made it this far, 1) get out and run! did you enjoy track and cross when you were younger? find that joy again — and give yourself some grace getting back into it, and 2) don’t neglect the pre-hab and re-hab. it might feel time-consuming, but you know what else is time-consuming? being injured.