Kyle Hines hosts another edition of the One Team Life Skills series by sharing his thoughts on the subject of communication.

Hines, One Team Ambassadors talk about communication

Kyle Hines hosts another edition of the One Team Life Skills series by sharing his thoughts on the subject of communication.

A four-time EuroLeague champion and the Global Ambassador for One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program, Hines is helping to explore the many ways that basketball can teach important life lessons.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are happy to bring you the second episode of Life Skills by <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a>!💙<br><br>This time, <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> discusses how &quot;Communication&quot; has impacted his life and why it is important!<br><br>Share with us who are some of the best communicators you know!<a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/VeLRoXdWhR">pic.twitter.com/VeLRoXdWhR</a></p>&mdash; One Team Euroleague (@OTEuroleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague/status/1369241554053955584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Explaining the importance of communication on the court, he said: "There are five individuals on the court who need to communicate and act as one. The best teams, the ones that win the EuroLeague trophy, are usually the ones who communicate the best."

Many other players and coaches around the continent have joined in by sharing their thoughts on the importance of communication both on and off the court, including Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul assistant coach Radovan Trifunovic. He emphasized the different types of communication as he said: "On the court, communication is a lot of times with the eyes – 'Throw me the ball, go back-door, box out, be strong.' It's more body language than verbal, especially when the gyms are full!"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our Assistant Coach Radovan Trifunovic shares his thoughts about communication. <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/RUlMSKUnOh">pic.twitter.com/RUlMSKUnOh</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1370363438225100802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Young participants of the TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz One Team program talked about the best communicators in their lives, including Lisa Happy who said: "Our teacher helps us when we are sad or when we need help in sums or assignments."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> !! Our <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> partipants have very clear who are their best communicators !!🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/kjMqcGpPDx">pic.twitter.com/kjMqcGpPDx</a></p>&mdash; Fundación 5+11 Fundazioa (@Fundacion5mas11) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fundacion5mas11/status/1369301773605830668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joventut Badalona One Team Ambassador Simon Birgander discussed how communication has taken on an even more important role during the recent pandemic:

"Communication is very important right now because it's hard to meet people, so it's hard to know how people feel. If you don't tell people how you feel, it's very hard to live in this current state with the pandemic. Communication with my friends and family in Sweden has been important to me, to keep my head high and get the help I need."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our ambassador <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonBirgander?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SimonBirgander</a> joins you guys explaining hoy important is communication! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/TSAhCqZLxG">pic.twitter.com/TSAhCqZLxG</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1370044151362912267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Who is the best communicator in your life? Join the conversation and share your stories!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is key: ALBA&#39;s One Team Ambassador Johannes Thiemann and his view on the value and challenges of communication in the pandemic. 🗣 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALBABERLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALBABERLIN</a> <a href="https://t.co/yNDvUG2vJb">pic.twitter.com/yNDvUG2vJb</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1369290583332843522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup. Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our ambassador Charis Giannopoulos shares his thoughts about communication.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PromitheasPatrasBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PromitheasPatrasBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/0ZglSOW3Q1">pic.twitter.com/0ZglSOW3Q1</a></p>&mdash; Promitheas Patras BC (@promitheasbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/promitheasbc/status/1369318154820874245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is a key, especially in a new reality. It’s very important for us to stick together these days. Together we can handle everything✊💙💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1369315902555045897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is a key, especially in a new reality. It’s very important for us to stick together these days. Together we can handle everything✊💙💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1369315902555045897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">❝Communication is 🔑, on and off the court! Especially in these times we try to communicate with all our fans through social media and keep the link between the club, the players and our fans.❞ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/YVIyZdpzeX">pic.twitter.com/YVIyZdpzeX</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1369303076876730371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Our <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> ambassador Moustapha Sonko is talking about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/communication?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#communication</a> ! 🤝<br><br>Notre ambassadeur Moustapha Sonko nous parle de communication ! 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoMets92?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoMets92</a> <a href="https://t.co/3zbMd4G9PT">pic.twitter.com/3zbMd4G9PT</a></p>&mdash; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (@Metropolitans92) <a href="https://twitter.com/Metropolitans92/status/1370061130496872452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s talk about communication!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaqInTheBox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaqInTheBox</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/B5A1Sbxvwe">pic.twitter.com/B5A1Sbxvwe</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1369264316864692227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> ! Communication is the key, let&#39;s talk about it 🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/EGZhxRVvzt">pic.twitter.com/EGZhxRVvzt</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1369289355681013760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Unicaja Malaga is supporting its local community despite social restrictions during the pandemic by running online sessions for its One Team program. For the third consecutive season, the 7DAYS EuroCup club is working with Down Malaga, an association which was founded 20 years ago by a group of parents whose children have Down Syndrome, with the objective of improving their quality of life and giving them more independence.

Waczynski and Unicaja bringing smiles with One Team

Unicaja Malaga is supporting its local community despite social restrictions during the pandemic by running online sessions for its One Team program. For the third consecutive season, the 7DAYS EuroCup club is working with Down Malaga, an association which was founded 20 years ago by a group of parents whose children have Down Syndrome, with the objective of improving their quality of life and giving them more independence.

Weekly online sessions are taking place every Tuesday afternoon, using the example of basketball as a tool for social integration and promoting personal values.

"We work on the value of respect, as well as care, respecting our environment and being cautious," says Jose Carlos Gaspar, the club's One Team Manager and Director of Sales, Public Relations, Protocol and Social Marketing. He explained that the video sessions include exercises with and without the ball: "They are precautionary activities such as protecting the ball and defending it, which we transfer to daily life so that the participants value the importance of such precaution and prevention."

These exercises are supported by the contribution of Unicaja's One Team Ambassador, Adam Waczynski. The Polish forward has been very involved with One Team for several years and helped develop the activities, as well as joining a session to congratulate the participants on their good work.

Waczynski said: "In this difficult and strange year we could not do our sessions on the basketball court, but we continue to be in contact with the Down Malaga team and they are doing a fantastic job at home – enjoying work, school and improving in many areas of life. Each of them is making an incredible effort to feel good. I love spending time with them and seeing the smiles on their faces. We can't meet in person but it's the best we can do for now. Better days will come, and I think we will enjoy them together very soon."

The support of the Fundacion Unicaja and Unicaja Banco, along with the collaboration of the companies that make up SponsorTeam, the social sponsorship strategy of Unicaja Baloncesto, have also been important for the continuous development of the One Team program, with the participation and direct help from its members in various sessions.

Ricardo Fernandez-Palacios, president of Down Malaga, comments: "We want to thank Unicaja Baloncesto because despite the difficulties that the current pandemic and health alert situation impose upon us, they have found the formula to maintain contact so our young people with Down Syndrome can still practice basketball on equal terms with other people through One Team. We are confident that we will soon be able to return to the classroom environment, but for now we support this initiative that keeps team spirit alive."

Maria Gallardo, one of the participants of Down Malaga, adds: "This year we have to settle for doing sports online, but whatever is connected with basketball we love it. I know that soon we will again share training on the court, all of us together."

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.



Social distancing restrictions around Europe have made it difficult for clubs to carry out their usual activities for One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program.

Milan's One Team project helping children dream

Social distancing restrictions around Europe have made it difficult for clubs to carry out their usual activities for One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program.

But many clubs – including AX Armani Exchange Milan – are still finding ways to support vulnerable members of their communities by delivering sessions online.

Milan has developed its program with Laureus Sport For Good Italia Onlus. It is dedicated to the children of Gratosoglio, a difficult suburban area of Milan where people from different backgrounds live at risk of social exclusion. The club is working with a group of 60 children aged 11 from Baroni Primary School.

Marilisa Zanini, Milan's One Team coach, explained that the online sessions have allowed the One Team participants to develop in different ways:

"During the online sessions with three classes of Baroni Plexus, we used the topic of dreams to stimulate the children. Dreams can be compared and allowed each child to talk about which characteristics struck them most in every classmate.

"Children have an open mind, sometimes far-sighted. Some said their partner has the ability to console someone in sadness, others found joy and the ability to make people laugh, others even simply to listen. Each child has a talent and each child has a dream. In short, we have encouraged them to value their talents and characteristics in order to make a dream come true."

Marilisa also likened the project to the ambitions of a professional basketball player, saying: "Everyone's talent is the starting point to be able to dream. Every player on the court has a role that expresses his talent and with that certainty he moves on the court. Knowing your role helps you move in life. Each role has both physical and mental characteristics. To be realized, dreams need talent. We try to make children choose who they would like to be, and what their role in the world could be. Being able to say 'I would like to be…' is a way to dream out loud."

The project was executed in a practical way, relating to basketball-related exercises that can be carried out in front of a computer screen, as Marilisa continues:

"We asked the boys to take a blank sheet and write down their dream, their desire, the role they want in life. We stimulated them to write their own dream, which we then materialized into ball-handling exercises that Filippo, our One Team coach, demonstrated to the children.

"A ball of crumpled paper can be a symbol. Throw it into the air, watch it spin towards the sky, towards infinity, beyond the walls and towards the ceiling of their room. Then the ball drops down and is caught just like Kyle Hines catches rebounds in a game. The ball, like a dream catcher, holds the child's dream tightly within itself.

"It is imperative to keep dreaming, to keep a goal close, to gaze at the goal and not to stop. The ball is an invitation to let you play and experiment with dreams. The children understood that a dream must be protected, defended and trained, like the ball in the game of basketball."

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

In his role as Global Ambassador for One Team, four-time continental champion Kyle Hines is producing a series of short videos exploring some of the key themes of Euroleague Basketball's renowned social responsibility program.

Hines, One Team Ambassadors talk about respect

In his role as Global Ambassador for One Team, four-time continental champion Kyle Hines is producing a series of short videos exploring some of the key themes of Euroleague Basketball's renowned social responsibility program.

In the first episode of the new One Team Life Skills by @SirHines series, the AX Armani Exchange Milan center covers the subject of respect, saying: "Respect is earned by how you give others respect. As my mom always said, you treat people how you want to be treated. So if you want to get respect, you've got to first give respect."

Every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup takes part in the One Team program and has nominated a player to support those activities by serving as One Team Ambassador.

Many of those Ambassadors have responded to Hines's message by sharing their own thoughts on the topic of respect, as did Zalgiris Kaunas big man Joffrey Lauvergne: "Respect is one of the most important values, and for me as an Ambassador of One Team, I am trying to share this with everybody."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zalgiris&#39; One Team ambassadors <a href="https://twitter.com/Martinas_Geben?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Martinas_Geben</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/1JOLOLO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1JOLOLO</a> gave their definition of RESPECT. 🫂<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/5GQhekGVwI">pic.twitter.com/5GQhekGVwI</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1356927670378971140?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Alen Hodzic of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana also got involved, saying: "Respect in sport is to not underestimate anybody. And in life, it means that we have to appreciate everybody, from old to young, and to love each other."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hello, <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a>!<br><br>Our ambassador <a href="https://twitter.com/AlenHod55028244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlenHod55028244</a> also spoke about respect.<br><br>Check it out! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/dNoqNNWKmX">pic.twitter.com/dNoqNNWKmX</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL/status/1357320829374238728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Watch all the videos below to find out how other players talk about respect. And if you want to get involved in the conversation, let Kyle Hines and the other One Team Ambassadors know what you think about respect by replying to their tweets!

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> ,<br>Moustapha Sonko is talking about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Respect?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Respect</a> ! 🙏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Metropolitans92?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Metropolitans92</a> <a href="https://t.co/IjnCjXa2Nx">pic.twitter.com/IjnCjXa2Nx</a></p>&mdash; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (@Metropolitans92) <a href="https://twitter.com/Metropolitans92/status/1357308786151739396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here our assistant coach Erdem Can, <a href="https://twitter.com/J_Ed31?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@J_Ed31</a> and our surprise guest are talking about RESPECT 🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/sosyalben?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sosyalben</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/GfM5YN0uaH">pic.twitter.com/GfM5YN0uaH</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1357046847664254977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s talk about RESPECT <br><br>🗣 <a href="https://twitter.com/K_pap16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@K_pap16</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/FCEkF3eSlu">pic.twitter.com/FCEkF3eSlu</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1357350833621512196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s talk about respect 🙌🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/yjilzbOMZJ">pic.twitter.com/yjilzbOMZJ</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1356922282111885312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our player Erick Green and Head Coach Erhan Ernak&#39;s thoughts about respect 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> ❤️💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> <a href="https://t.co/18faygRajy">pic.twitter.com/18faygRajy</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1357370757563744260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔵🔴🏀 Our One Team ambassadors <a href="https://twitter.com/14RodDeLaFuente?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@14RodDeLaFuente</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/maguichou12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@maguichou12</a> talk to us about Respect!<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/xgGdRvNfwH">pic.twitter.com/xgGdRvNfwH</a></p>&mdash; Barça Foundation (@FundacioFCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/FundacioFCB/status/1357287835649400832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I respect my parents the most for all they been through to provide our family a good life <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wearwalloneteam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wearwalloneteam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/respect?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#respect</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BKBasketbol</a></p>&mdash; Ismet Akpinar (@ismetakpinar) <a href="https://twitter.com/ismetakpinar/status/1357029977842196485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> !<br><br>Let&#39;s talk about 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 with <a href="https://twitter.com/PierrePelos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PierrePelos</a> 🙌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/VD2GNUCrEx">pic.twitter.com/VD2GNUCrEx</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1357371748489048066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> ! 👋<br><br>Our One Team coaches, kids and ambassador Pierriá Henry talk about who they respect most and why<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/m3jqSYx51B">pic.twitter.com/m3jqSYx51B</a></p>&mdash; Fundación 5+11 Fundazioa (@Fundacion5mas11) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fundacion5mas11/status/1358829192012570625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One Team Life Skills - EP 1 | Respect

One Team Games offered message of inspiration

Once again, it is the time of year for Euroleague Basketball's work in local communities to step into the spotlight with One Team Games taking place throughout the week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

One Team Games this week support pandemic relief

Once again, it is the time of year for Euroleague Basketball's work in local communities to step into the spotlight with One Team Games taking place throughout the week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

One Team, Euroleague Basketball's long-running social responsibility program, was founded in 2012 and has since then used the unifying power of basketball to support vulnerable people all across the continent.

All 42 clubs in the EuroLeague and EuroCup are taking part in the program by running their own activities at a local level with the support of social partners and sponsors. This week, the visibility of the program will be enhanced by the One Team Ambassadors from all 42 clubs wearing a specially designed #WeAreAllOneTeam hoodie during the team arrivals at the court.

One Team's Global Ambassador, AX Armani Exchange Milan star Kyle Hines, is proud to support another week of action: "I have been fortunate to be a part of One Team since the beginning of the project. It has been great to see the impact One Team continues to make. One Team allows us as athletes to bring positive influence and make a real difference in the communities we serve. The One Team Games are always special because they give Euroleague Basketball, its fans and players the opportunity to highlight all the great work being carried out. By all One Team Ambassadors wearing the #WeAreAllOneTeam hoodies, we continue to spread the One Team message and mission."

Euroleague basketball Chief Business Development Officer Roser Queralto added: "One Team is now even more important than ever, with the global pandemic threatening to leave behind people at risk of exclusion from society. These are in many cases the people who are struggling the most with the current situation, and we are very proud to support our clubs with their great work to help vulnerable members of their communities."

Unfortunately, the current pandemic situation means that this year's One Team Games celebration will be different from usual because One Team participants are not able to join the action and get involved in different activities on the court, but clubs are finding innovative ways to support their local communities through digital platforms.

One of the players taking part in this week's activities is Rade Zagorac, Partizan NIS Belgrade's One Team Ambassador, who said: "Despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19, our bond with our participants is getting stronger. Unfortunately, we will not be able to celebrate this year together on the court, but thanks to digital platforms we will still be able to share our message, show that we are thinking about each other, and prove once more that we are all One Team."

Euroleague Basketball Legend Ramunas Siskauskas added:
"As a former player, I am grateful for the opportunity to try to give something back. Basketball has been a hugely positive part of my life and now I want to help other people who need help also gain meaningful benefits from our wonderful sport. One Team Games are a great way to showcase all the work that takes place throughout the year."

Anyone who would like to support the program can buy the same One Team hoodies and t-shirts that will be worn by players across Europe this week, by visiting the new EuroLeague online store at www.amazon.co.uk/euroleaguestore

Proceeds from sales of the hoodies and t-shirts will go directly to One Team pandemic relief efforts. Take this opportunity to support your local One Team program as Euroleague Basketball mobilizes to benefit One Team pandemic relief.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

One Team actively works on the development of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, focusing specifically on Reduced Inequalities, Gender Equality, Health and Wellbeing, and Quality Education.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

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Two great examples come from Zalgiris Kaunas, starting with Antanas Usas, who started volunteering five years ago. Back then, he was still a student, but he managed to find time to volunteer with One Team and continued to do so even after finishing his studies. Antanas is now a lecturer at the Lithuanian Sports University, and working with One Team helps him in his professional activities.

"I have to work with a lot of different people who have different kinds of thoughts, opinions and problems, so the experience that I bring from One Team helps me a lot in everyday work," he explained.

Another supporter of Zalgiris's One Team program is Gediminas Navickas, who became a volunteer at the start of this season after finishing a long career as a professional player. The experiences he brings from his playing days are valuable for the activities, and he is also now working in the Zalgiris youth system.

The story of these two different personalities intertwines in the great video documentary produced by Zalgiris about the challenges, victories and details that come with the One Team project. You can also see what inspires Antanas and Gediminas, and what they have learned.

"I didn't expect it's so professional and so big," said Gediminas. "Probably the most beautiful thing from this program is that when we meet the kids in the first session they are shy and afraid, but after a couple of sessions, they transform. It's really interesting to see how they start to smile more, speak more, joke more."

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 19,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

One Team, the social responsibility program of Euroleague Basketball, is beneficial not only for the young people who take part. It also provides life-changing opportunities to the people who support the organization of the activities, many of whom are volunteers with their local clubs.

Retired player, university lecturer lift Zalgiris One Team

Retired player_ university lecturer lift Zalgiris OT copy

He fought battles in the classroom, in the corridor, in the dressing room. And every battle was followed by the deafening silence of his fear: fear of speaking, fear of not being seen, fear of not being able to communicate except through violence.

Expressing yourself through words can be complex for children, which is why Milan's One Team project champions the importance of sport as an educational tool, as a growth experience, as a way of expressing yourself: say it with a pass, say it with a shot.

When they are on the court, children like Riccardo can jump to the basket without feeling their fear. The team can become a trusted circle in which the coaches welcome you, their whistles mark parameters of time, and the court provides barriers of space.

Through basketball, Riccardo discovered that rules don't have to be his enemy. Rules can be trusted, allowing Riccardo and his teammates to discover together the beauty of being a team, and hearing the happy echo of your name when the ball enters the basket.

Through his involvement with One Team, Riccardo has seen his basketball heroes up close. He has also seen himself up close and discovered that his sometimes misunderstood physicality can actually be a talent, and that "the boy who did not do well in class" can be really good at passing the ball.

Above all, Riccardo learned the value of sharing. He saw that in basketball, together you are stronger, and even your own fury can be contained and controlled if there is a supportive group around you.

When he was given the opportunity to participate in One Team, he slowly grasped its essence and the benefits it could give him. At first, he was detached, with little confidence in the two coaches, Michele and Marilisa, who entered the gym and imposed their rules, their game, removing the possibility of doing what he normally did at home or school with no control.

Soon, though, he became a child who followed a growth path – both in basketball and in character, learning to know and understand himself first, and then how to open up to others, trusting those two coaches who came to him offering a basketball, and an hour of fun and happiness. He was able to transform an angry face into a smiling and happy face.

In time, Riccardo was able to offer his hand to help his teammates, and establish friendly relationships with them – the kind of relationship that often cannot be created in the classroom. Basketball united the children, creating the beginning of a fundamental and deep bond.

It is difficult to provoke change in a growing child, but the fire of passion for a sport illuminates faces and has the power to transform. This is exactly what happened to Riccardo, who today is able to fight on the court, to make a basket, to accept the hand of a companion, and then return to his life with his weapons laid down.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 19,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

Riccardo, a nine-year-old participant in the AX Armani Exchange Milan One Team program, used to fight a lot of battles.

AX Armani Exchange Milan One Team program teaches Riccardo to fight the right battles

AX Armani Exchange Milan One Team program teaches Riccardo copy