Basketball at the CEO’s House, and the Office Is Invited

The 80-plus participants range from the company’s veteran professionals and entry-level brokers to a colleague’s teenage granddaughter looking for career advice.

“The objective of these games is more than just to get a sweat and workout in, but to use basketball to connect people,” he says. “I think it’s important to form bonds between young and old, and perhaps learn a thing or two about relationships and business in the process.”

Mr. Rudin transformed his home tennis court into a basketball court, so it is shorter than a standard court. Full-court games are typically 4-on-4 or 5-on-5. The team that scores seven points first remains on the court to play the next team.

Men and women both play, and the oldest player is in his mid-80s. Depending on who shows up, Mr. Rudin tries to organize a 45-plus game for older players. Occasionally, he jumps in with the younger players.

Mr. Rudin has played basketball since his teen years. He competed in recreational leagues while attending law school at Boston College and in the New York Lawyers Basketball League while starting his career.

These days, he doesn’t jump a lot to block or shoot, but he says he is still agile enough to make an impact, particularly on defense. Mr. Rudin relies on experience to defend his opponents. “I can still force players to take a shot by outwitting them, and I’m spry enough to make offensive rebounds,” he says.

The pickup games, which are by invitation, are more about mentoring than cutting deals, he says.

His two sons, now grown, often brought friends such as Kevin Dudley over to play when they would come home from college. Those on-court sessions paved the way for career advice.

Mr. Dudley, 36, says Mr. Rudin helped him get an internship at Inc., the commercial real-estate company where he now serves as executive vice president. “I look back and realize so many opportunities and connections presented themselves on Mitch’s court,” he says.

Mr. Rudin still has his competitive edge. “If I can limit the person I’m guarding to a point or less, I’ve done my job,” he says.

Mr. Rudin plays basketball two to three days a week. He says a rigorous stretching routine keeps back pain caused by an old injury at bay.

He warms up with a series of hip, hamstring and shoulder stretches and does a circuit of exercises, including squats and push-ups, with a TRX band—a piece of equipment used for body-weight workouts. That builds his core strength and improves his balance.

Before games and throughout the week, he runs for 10 to 15 minutes. He does sets of sprints on the tennis court and then backpedals for a few sets and shuffles laterally. His wife often does balance and agility drills with him. Mr. Rudin recently bought an agility ladder.

“My grandson was watching the [New York] Giants warm up before a game and said, ‘Look, the football players are doing Grandpa’s exercises,’” he jokes.

He typically organizes games on Saturdays and Sundays and one weekday. Each game day runs between two to 2½ hours.

Mr. Rudin also plays singles tennis at home and at a local club. He says it helps improve his agility and keeps him fast on his feet. He works his balance by paddleboarding in the summer.

The diet

Pregame meal: Six egg whites, a banana and a cappuccino.

Postgame: Mr. Rudin puts out bagels and Gatorade for players.

Lunch: He often has three to four work lunches in New York City a week and tries to order plant-based dishes.

Dinner: Fish or chicken.

Essential gear

Sneakers: Mr. Rudin calls himself a Nike guy. When he finds sneakers he likes, he buys them in bulk. He has six pairs of Nike LeBron Witness 6 shoes (he paid between $100 and $140) that he rotates through to play, and five unworn pairs still in boxes.

Playlist

“Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green is the first song on his playlist, followed by a mix of songs from Marvin Gaye, Gloria Estefan, Rick Astley, Alicia Keys and Bob Marley.

Write to Jen Murphy at [email protected]

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