PAGRINDINĖS NAUJIENOS

The ‘Bouncing for Good’ initiative created by One Team, Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program, and Motorola got underway in Sopot, Poland, with the first sessions taking place at Primary School No. 9.

One Team-Motorola partnership begins with community events in Sopot

The ‘Bouncing for Good’ [initiative created by One Team, Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program, and Motorola](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.euroleaguebasketball.net%2Fen%2Fnews%2Fmotorola-and-euroleague-basketballs-one-team-partner-to-promote-sportsmanship-and-life-values-through-basketball%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7C4ce5a63b139c4cd7e82d08dcf414f6d0%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638653618091896302%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZSgPK12AFtQgjBcPTKpZ81KLCWiEuick6VjqvcVYdFk%3D&reserved=0) got underway in Sopot, Poland, with the first sessions taking place at Primary School No. 9.

Last week, a workshop focused on sports values, led by Trefl Sopot’s One Team coaches, served as the tip-off of the project in Poland. During the session, apart from other educational activities developed with the help of Motorola devices, children were also encouraged to get creative by painting a mural of the 'perfect basketball’, using their learnings on colors and associating them to sports and life values. A local artist then captured the mural and replicated it on a real basketball. And today was the day to see some of the results of that previous work.

With the aim of providing yet another unforgettable sport values experience for the community, Motorola and One Team organized another session with 50 children from the same school. They were present for a special event that saw them take part in multiple activities together with Trefl Sopot One Team Ambassadors, Jakub Schenk and Andy Van Vliet, and this group of children received a wide variety of material donations.

There was a signed jersey by a Trefl Sopot player up for grabs, as well as a selfie with a player, while the kids also had a session using Motorola’s innovative technology that saw them solve selfie puzzles featuring the two players at the event. The children got to see the ‘Perfect Ball’ – a specially painted basketball –based on the mural they had painted on the workshop, and a little later, 50 basketballs were given away to the children. A total of 200 extra basketballs will be given away by Motorola and Euroleague Basketball during the year to help the promotion of the game of basketball and the practice of sport in public schools and the work of sport and social values.

Once the kids had taken part in the fun tasks, they had a group photo together, as a lasting memory from the day. They were all there in their new T-shirts, which featured the One Team and Motorola logos, while Motorola’s technology was key throughout the event, keeping everyone connected and enhancing the learning experience.

Barbara Lewandowska-Paluch, Marketing & Communication Manager, Trefl Sopot said: "Activities for the local community are in the DNA of Trefl Sopot. We are happy that from this season, thanks to our participation in the EuroCup, we can be part of the One Team family. We are aware of how much good the program has brought throughout Europe, and we are glad that we can join in it and use our power as a club to help others and make good influence. Thanks to the generosity of Motorola, we can support schools not only with equipment but also a great experience of a valuable workshop. The One Team–Motorola initiative is great for Trefl Sopot to join. We are very excited, and we look forward to every session of our local One Team program this season."

For the moment, five partnered clubs in association with schools and social entities across Poland, Italy, Greece, Spain and France will participate in this sport and life values initiative, with more workshops and donations to come in the upcoming months.

The One Team Managers and Coaches from each of the 38 clubs competing under the Euroleague Basketball umbrella came together in Barcelona, Spain, for the 14th edition of the One Team Annual Workshop.

The 14th One Team Annual Workshop lit the fuse for the 2024-25 season

The One Team Managers and Coaches from each of the 38 clubs competing under the Euroleague Basketball umbrella came together in Barcelona, Spain, for the 14th edition of the One Team Annual Workshop.

Over the course of two days, those tasked with leading the clubs’ respective One Team programs were able to learn how to better implement the One Team methodology and further enhance the impact they can have on their communities.

"Sport is a great opportunity to unite people and promote a spirit of collaboration," said Maureen Reat, One Team Manager at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. "I’m very proud of being a part of the program."

With a mixture of lectures and on-court activities, the One Team Managers and Coaches were able to take on information from different experts that they can then use with the participants of their respective programs. One Team has a profound impact on thousands of people across the continent year in, year out, and their personal growth is something that makes it all worth it.

"You will change the lives of other people because you will bring them to another level emotionally, intellectually in the domain of sports," noted Xaver Nassermann, One Team Coach at FC Bayern Munich. "This project, One Team, is the perfect platform for a better world."

The importance of community was a strong theme throughoutand the unique value that provides to the Euroleague Basketball social program. After all, despite the clubs going to battle on the hardwood during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup seasons, they are all ready to share the same goal off the court: being there to support groups who are in danger of exclusionto reduce inequalities in their communities.

"You can see in every country how we can have an impact in the community," added Roberta Meneghal, One Team Manager at Umana Reyer Venice. "Here, we can share experiences, emotions, learn, thoughts, and of course having fun."

Each passing year sees One Team positively impact the lives of more and more individuals, but there is still plenty of work to do. The objective is to further enhance the reach of the clubs’ programs and ensure that nobody feels at risk of being excluded from society.

"I do believe that we are making a big impact on people’s lives through the program," stated Matic Lisac, One Team Manager and Coach at Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. "I do believe that there will be even more impact in the coming years and that our impact will impact the lives of others."

After this two-day crash course learning about the One Team methodology and much more, the One Team Managers and Coaches in attendance at the One Team Annual Workshop will now look to put what they have learned into action during the 2024-25 season.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed in One Team a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under a theme of "community integration" that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Each year, the One Team Awards identify how some of the 38 clubs competing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup have gone above and beyond with their One Team programs. The 2023-24 season was no different, with local communities being positively impacted right across the continent.

On Tuesday, September 10, the second and final day of the 14th One Team Annual Workshop, the clubs discovered who won the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, as well as the Judge’s Award for Club Commitment and the Best One Team Ambassador Award.

Shortly before the One Team Awards ceremony, the clubs received a special video message from four-time EuroLeague champion Kyle Hines, who recently retired from playing basketball and served as the Global One Team Ambassador.

One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program, is now in its 12th year and has been able to count on the support of Turkish Airlines since its inception, in addition to enjoying a long-term partnership with Special Olympics.

"The success of One Team as our corporate social responsibility arm responds to the passion, dedication and excellent work that all the One Team managers and coaches from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup are doing, and it goes hand in hand with everything that we believe in at Euroleague Basketball," said Abigail Martin, the Director of Sustainability & Development Projects of Euroleague Basketball. 

"Once again in 2023-24, One Team programs delivered exceptional sessions by clubs in many different countries and I would like to express my gratitude and congratulate everyone involved in this year’s programs for their efforts and the fine results achieved to keep on changing lives for the better. And, of course, a special recognition to this season's award winners."

### One Team Gold Program winner: Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

The winner of this year’s One Team Gold Program award is Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, which helped create unforgettable memories for those in the club’s One Team program. Together with Youth Care Centre Malci Belic, Cedevita helped young people at risk with learning difficulties using use basketball as a force for good as they improved their social skills. The participants, four to 12 children aged between seven and 13, also received small gifts from Cedevita’s sponsors and partners, NLB d. d. and IKEA.

Notably, Cedevita organized a collaborative trip with Umana Reyer Venice that saw the participants travel to Italy and watch the EuroCup game between the two teams, while they even had a chance to take part in a basketball session together. Another trip was organized to Zagreb, Croatia, as the participants were able to enjoy a domestic league game and enjoy a tour of Cibona’s facilities. Cedevita ensured a strong media presence regarding the program, too.

"We are happy to win the award, we are very honored. I think we have put in a lot of work this year and we are very grateful our work has been recognized," said Matic Lisac, Cedevita Olimpija's One Team Manager. "We will continue doing this good work and we hope to impact even more lives than we did in the last seasons."

### One Team Silver Program: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

In second place is LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, which takes home the One Team Silver Program prize. During a year-long partnership with SESSAD (Service Éducation Social Soin A Domicile), ASVEL’s One Team program aided young people with intellectual disabilities during weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes. There were 65 participants aged between seven and 52, with sport being used to help promote integration.

One major event that ASVEL put on for their One Team participants involved organizing, with the help of several sponsors, a trip to visit FC Bayern Munich ahead of the two teams’ EuroLeague clash before posting a fantastic behind-the-scenes video afterward. ASVEL’s One Team program featured many success stories, including one participant becoming a volunteer. The club’s One Team Ambassadors also earned plenty of praise for the way in which they helped the program.

"I feel great about this honor. I want to thank Euroleague Basketball for organizing the work that all the teams made in the One Team programs and I want to thank all the One Team participants. Without them, none of this is possible," said Valentine Traclet, the One Team Manager for ASVEL. 

### One Team Bronze Program winner: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

Rounding out the podium is EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, which has secured the One Team Bronze Program award. Now in the sixth year of its partnership with Laureus Sport For Good Italia, Milan helped 20 children across two groups on a weekly basis, with these individuals deemed to be at risk of stepping outside of the law or living in distressing situations. Psychological well-being and social inclusion were focused on by Milan’s One Team program.

Milan was able to do particularly well when it came to getting sponsors and partners to support the club’s efforts. During the Milano City Marathon, Milan did a joint event, while its merchandising sponsor, Scalo Milano, other partners and One Team employees took part in the marathon, with all the proceeds generated going towards the club’s One Team program. Milan was open to new ideas and improvements, leading to more coverage in the local press, and data collected found that many new participants had signed up for the program in 2023-24.

"We are very honored to receive this One Team award. For us it is a sign of the growth of our project," said Michele Samaden, the One Team Manager for Milan. "Every year we try to expand our impact and this is possible thank to all our community, our community partner, our social partner and the entire fantastic team behind the scenes. Also, we thank all the people who worked on the project in the past, and who all contributed for the project to be better."

 

### Judge’s Award for Club Commitment: Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz

Twice a week, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz holds its One Team program in support with Gizarterako Association and Michelin. The program includes 16 at-risk children aged between five and 12, who are the sons and daughters of the women supported by Gizarterako. Baskonia uses basketball to teach important life lessons, and it also included plenty of buy-in from the club’s One Team Ambassador, Khalifa Diop.

In what was the 10th anniversary of Baskonia’s One Team program, the club made commemorative T-shirts and put together a special video that featured prominent figures from the program’s history. The club put on other events, too, such as basketball camps, practices with club staff and sponsored events. Overall, the feedback Baskonia received was very positive.

"We are really happy to receive this award. This reflects the effort and the commitment we made this season," Dorleta de la Presa, Baskonia's One Team Manager, said. 

### Best One Team Ambassador Award: Juancho Hernangomez

Last but not least, the Best One Team Ambassador Award goes to Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens’s Juancho Hernangomez. He received wonderful feedback in his first season as a One Team Ambassador, attending every session and going beyond his duties. The Spaniard regularly took part in drills with the participants and was an advocate of the One Team program when talking with his teammates.

Hernangomez went out of his way to promote One Team on social media, while he also bought gifts for everyone, including a signed framed photograph for the One Team program.

Best One Team programs and Ambassador from the 2023-24 season honored with awards

Representatives from each of the 38 clubs competing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup will take part in a two-day crash course that focuses on implementing the One Team methodology, lessons learnt from the previous season, and ways to make an even bigger impact moving forward.

Over the course of two days, a number of speakers from within the One Team family will offer their advice on best practice and what they have discovered during their team’s One Team program. Additionally, several guest speakers will provide an external perspective and specialist knowledge.  All of those in attendance will learn important lessons that they can take back to their clubs’ One Team programs.

There will be a mix of activities that take place, such as methodological sessions that take place on the court and can later be replicated with the One Team participants during the season. There will also be learning sessions where the clubs’ One Team Managers absorb a range of topics in the amphitheater, with these focusing more on the methodology itself, improving engagement with sports, and also an opportunity to ask questions to some of the experts present. 

The Workshop will also include some inspirational messages coming from Alex Roca's and Hamza Driouich’s stories of overcoming through sport, and former players Joe Arlauckas and Rodrigo de la Fuente will also join the event to share their insightful experience as one team ambassadors.  The 2024 One Team Annual Workshop will come to a close with the One Team Awards, which recognize and honor the work done by the nominated clubs in their respective communities during the 2023-24 season. Another prize that will be given out is the top One Team Ambassador, which is awarded to a player who had a particularly beneficial impact on the participants involved in his team’s One Team program.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed in One Team a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under a theme of "community integration" that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

 

It is that time of year! On September 9 and 10, the 14th edition of the One Team Annual Workshop sees the One Team family come together in Barcelona, Spain

The One Team Annual Workshop is back for the 14th time

For Arthur Parmentier, a 28-year-old with Asperger’s who is part of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne’s One Team program, he has been able to take a big step forward thanks to the club’s work with S.A.M.S.A.H La Traboule.

A One Team success story: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism that is mainly characterized by difficulties in social interaction and repetitive or restricted behaviors, although it does not present any delays in language or cognitive development. For Arthur Parmentier, a 28-year-old with Asperger’s who is part of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne’s One Team program, he has been able to take a big step forward thanks to the club’s work with S.A.M.S.A.H La Traboule.

Over the course of the last four years, Arthur has made sure to attend ASVEL’s One Team sessions on a Wednesday and Saturday. When Arthur first started coming to these sessions, he was not in the best physical condition and struggled with a lot of social disturbances, which made it difficult for him to connect with the other participants. He was also deeply rooted in his daily routine, often repeating the same activities, with a lot of screen time and gaming.

Therefore, encouraging Arthur to start playing basketball was not the easiest of tasks, particularly as it would result in a change to his routine. To start with, he was initially accompanied by his existing structure in order to ensure a smooth transition into the program, with those in charge understanding the importance of adapting to his needs and abilities. Not long after, Arthur was able to integrate himself into the group and create a bond with the others; now, he is an important part of the setup and the club.

By partaking in basketball thanks to ASVEL and One Team, Arthur’s physical condition has improved significantly over the last four years. He has also built strong connections with the other participants, with real friendships being born. Such has been his enjoyment in the program that he has become a volunteer at ASVEL, supporting the One Team coaches during the teenagers’ session as an assistant coach. For Arthur, this role is very important for him, and he has had a marked improvement in his delivery to a young audience.

Every Friday afternoon, Arthur shows a determination to try to be the best coach he can be. This allows him to get out of his home, in addition to the training he does during the week. As such, it is crucial that Arthur maintains a healthy lifestyle, such as reducing his screen time and eating well. During the sessions, he has been able to build empathy for the other participants and understand the negative emotions that may affect them.

Notably, Arthur and the rest of ASVEL’s One Team participants were able to fly to Munich for a special One Team trip, which was in collaboration with FC Bayern Munich. Arthur had never been on a plane and it was a real step forward for him to go far away from home without his parents in a new environment. Now, he is a success story that many will look to emulate.

ASVEL has developed its One Team program together with SESSAD (Service Éducation Social Soin A Domicile) Emile Zola and S.A.M.S.A.H La Traboule, an organization that supports young people with intellectual disabilities by helping them to better integrate through sport, accompanying them in their daily lives and assisting their parents. In the program, 65 participants aged seven to 52 participate with the common goal of learning and sharing, while also focusing on communication skills, teamwork and trust.

Overcoming personal challenges and blossoming into a key member of the community is easier said than done. Rok, a 16-year-old from Dolenjska in Slovenia, was nevertheless able to do just that, thanks in large part to the impact of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and its One Team program.

A One Team success story: Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

Overcoming personal challenges and blossoming into a key member of the community is easier said than done. Rok, a 16-year-old from Dolenjska in Slovenia, was nevertheless able to do just that, thanks in large part to the impact of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and its One Team program.

He has been a regular attendee at the Youth Care Centre Malci Belic over the last five years, where he has been able to engage in One Team activities in each of the last two years. Back in elementary school, Rok sadly became the target of ridicule and mockery due to his failures, with his classmates often laughing at him and teasing him. His family also struggled financially, which created an instability that had a negative effect on his early years.

As a result of the financial difficulties encountered at home, Rok sometimes had to go without things that many other children took for granted, and he even went to live at the Youth Care Centre Malci Belic. That led to Rok feeling withdrawn and shy, resulting in a deep-seated anxiety about failure and a lowering of his self-esteem. Solitary activities, therefore, became his preferred choice.

Since he started to go to the Youth Care Centre Malci Belic and was introduced to Cedevita’s One Team program, he has been able to develop as an individual in a non-judgmental environment. Through One Team, Rok found a sense of belonging, something he desperately needed. Over time, he began to understand that rather than be fearful of failure, it is just part of the learning process. Thanks to the supportive environment around him during the One Team sessions, with mentors and peers on hand to provide assistance, he has started to see improvements in his social life and academic performance after gaining confidence in his abilities.

Rok also had the chance to enjoy trips alongside his peers that were put on by Cedevita, like when the club’s One Team participants went to Italy for the team’s BKT EuroCup fixture against Umana Reyer Venice. The impact of the One Team sessions continued to have a positive effect on Rok, who gradually started to approach his challenges in a different manner; rather than view them as obstacles, he used them as opportunities to grow

Such was the impact of the One Team program on Rok that he soon became a vocal advocate of the work conducted by Cedevita and the Youth Care Centre Malci Belic, actively recommending the project to everyone and tirelessly promoting it to his friends. In doing so, he epitomized the essence of One Team: fostering inclusivity, understanding, and a shared sense of adventure.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Youth Care Centre Malci Belic Ljubljana have successfully worked in partnership for the club's One Team program since the 2020-21 campaign. Last season's program included eight weekly sessions and involved four to 12 people aged between seven and 13. The goal was to help young people with certain disabilities equip themselves for everyday life by using the sport of basketball to emphasize social skills, such as motivation, reliability and personal responsibility. 

The shortlisted teams and ambassadors for the 2023-24 One Team Awards

The 2023-24 season once again saw every team competing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup put a lot of efforts into their One Team programs, so now it’s time to reward those clubs and the One Team Ambassadors that went above and beyond over the course of the campaign.

Eight clubs have been shortlisted for this year’s edition of the One Team Awards, with three prizes set to be given out during the One Team Annual Workshop in Barcelona, Spain, in September: trophies for the One Team Gold Program, the One Team Silver Program and the One Team Bronze Program.

The key elements that go into deciding the winners of these awards are the planning and delivery of the clubs’ One Team programs, the involvement of ambassadors during the sessions, as well as the marketing and communications activities that were implemented and also the participation of commercial partners.

In addition to the club-based awards, the work done by the One Team Ambassadors will also see the One Team Ambassador Award handed out. Seven ambassadors, in particular, stood out with their efforts off the court during the previous campaign, which led to a real difference being made in their teams' communities.

thinkBeyond, a social impact and sustainability consultancy that supports leaders and organizations to make a positive impact on the world, will again be involved in the judging process for the 2023-24 One Team Program Awards.

### One Team Shortlisted Teams

[Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/cazoo-baskonia-vitoria-gasteiz-one-team-program/): Baskonia celebrated the 10th anniversary of its One Team program by putting on an event that featured its current participants – 16 children aged between five and twelve who were the sons and daughters of the women supported by Gizarterako Association – and players past and present, including this year’s One Team Ambassador, Khalifa Diop.

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-one-team-program/): Focusing on helping young people with disabilities through basketball and sport, Cedevita helped four to 12 children aged between seven and 13 who received mental health support and learned skills that were relevant to the group, while the participants were able to go to a road game against Umana Reyer Venice and take part in a One Team session with their Reyer counterparts.

[EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/ea7-emporio-armani-milan-one-team-program/): Supporting 20 at-risk children across two groups on a weekly basis, Milan put on a joint event during the Milan Marathon and were able to raise extra funds for the program’s efforts as merchandise sponsor Scalo Milano, other partners and One Team employees took part in the run, with the Italian club also praised for being very communicative while seeking new ideas and improvements.

[FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/fc-barcelona-one-team-program/): Barcelona worked with 15 to 20 men aged between 18 and 24 as it looked to support and fund the reinsertion of the center’s residents back into society by using basketball as a tool for education and learning values, with the club putting on a number of different events to aid the participants’ future employability skills, fostering respect for teammates and offering platforms for dialogue and exchange.

[LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne-one-team-program/): Sixty-five participants with intellectual disabilities aged between seven and 52 were split into groups for 90-minute weekly sessions as ASVEL looked to encourage integration using sport, which was particularly clear following a video that detailed a trip to Germany that saw the participants go behind the scenes at FC Bayern Munich before seeing their team face the German side at Audi Dome.

[Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/olympiacos-piraeus-one-team-program/): Olympiacos helped 19 at-risk youth and refugees aged between nine and 12 with its program, which focused on building personal responsibility, communication skills and self-confidence, and during creative sessions put on by the One Team Coaches, they were able to learn about basketball, social skills and sustainability.

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/panathinaikos-athens-one-team-program/): Keen to help its participants identify their strengths and potential, Panathinaikos’s 12-week program featuring 15 participants with intellectual disabilities aged between 18 and 45 particularly focused on social skills, self-development, leadership and gender equity, with the club posting news and videos about its One Team efforts.

[Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/one-team/umana-reyer-venice-one-team-program/): Reyer supported a group of 10 to 15 refugees aged 14 to 17 when it came to integrating them into society thanks to a variety of core skills, while there was also a joint session with Cedevita’s One Team participants, the involvement of the first team female players, and local media had the chance to get to know more about the program and play with participants.

### One Team Shortlisted Ambassadors

They are all well-known for their play on the court, but the seven individuals in the running for the One Team Ambassador Award each impacted their communities and had a positive influence on the One Team participants. Below, you will see a description of what each of the nominees got up to with their respective clubs.

[Edo Muric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/edo-muric/003515/), Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana: He went the extra mile for the participants, not only attending four sessions but leading one of his own sessions and inviting his coaches (should this be teammates?) to come and watch, which allowed them to get to know the children. He was viewed as a mentor by the participants, with Muric buying sweets for them, spending time with the children during league games and even buying presents for them around Christmas.

Gauthier Denis, Paris Basketball: He attended six sessions and was keen to promote the One Team program. The French player showed his personal side, too, sharing his life stories and delivering motivational speeches to the participants. He took part in the  exercises, acted as a coach, and reposted One Team stories on Instagram.

Gigi Datome, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan: The Italian attended three sessions, talked to the participants about his roles, and demonstrated his commitment inside and outside the court. He made videos, participated in the Milan Marathon, and joined in with the One Team Games. Additionally, he reposted One Team activities and stories on X.

[Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/), Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens: Having received glowing feedback as an ambassador, he attended all the sessions and additional activities. He fully understood and contributed to the drills, spoke warmly about the One Team program to his teammates. On top of that, Juancho bought gifts for the participants and also gave a signed photo to One Team, all while promoting One Team on social media.

[Khalifa Diop](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/khalifa-diop/008072/), Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz: Having attended the sessions four times, he showed plenty of interest in the club’s One Team program and built a positive rapport with everyone involved. Diop even contributed gifts to the participants and shared Baskonia’s One Team activities on his personal social media account.

[Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/), Olympiacos Piraeus: A One Team Ambassador for eight years, he has demonstrated his dedication to the program and was involved in four sessions. He also spread the good word of One Team to fellow teammates and on social media, in addition to partnering with Coca-Cola for a video dedicated to One Team.

[Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/), FC Barcelona: He demonstrated in-depth knowledge about the club’s program and paid a visit on five occasions. He demonstrated a genuine interest in the program and proactively conversed with the participants in the sessions. What’s more, the German player came up with a new idea to tackle food waste and also shared the message and activities of One Team on social media.

Taking advantage of the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four being in Berlin, Germany, Euroleague Basketball’s One Team program brought together several individuals from the four German clubs competing in the EuroLeague and EuroCup, as well as a Euroleague Basketball Ambassador in Patrick Femerling.

German teams’ One Team coaches unite to share ideas and experiences

Taking advantage of the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four being in Berlin, Germany, Euroleague Basketball’s One Team program brought together several individuals from the four German clubs competing in the EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup, as well as a Euroleague Basketball Ambassador in Patrick Femerling.

There was Xaver Nassermann (One Team Manager at FC Bayern Munich), Daniel Henle (One Team Manager at Veolia Towers Hamburg), Stefan Ludwig (One Team Manager at ALBA Berlin), Sharon Krilles (One Team Manager at ratiopharm Ulm), Enrico Cicmanec (One Team Coach at Ulm), and Sasha Tarasava (Women’s Team Assistant Coach at ALBA). They were able to share ideas together with Femerling and discuss the way in which One Team has affected them on an individual basis.

“What they’re giving me, this joy and this fun and being there, maybe it’s only an hour but this hour is pure,” says Femerling. “I feel like it completes me, the whole thing... When I’m done with the session or the season, it’s like a wholesome feeling for me,” added Stefan Ludwig. “For me, it’s the biggest joy to give them something from my deepest self… This is the first step you can do to build a new community, then at the end you see the result. It’s amazing, I love it,” commented Xaver Nassermann.

Despite representing rival clubs, what is clear is the pride they all show to be contributing to One Team and how much it clearly means to them. At the end of the day, they know that one thing is paramount: we are all One Team.

Representatives from four clubs came together to discuss the power of One Team

Final Four One Team in photos

Thanks to the Walk15 app, Final Four attendees were able to reduce their carbon footprint in Berlin

Basketball fans went the extra mile at the 2024 Final Four

Euroleague Basketball always encourages sustainable modes of transport in and out of the arenas, particularly at the Final Four, as thousands of fans embark upon one city. This year, in Berlin, Germany, Euroleague Basketball united with the Walk15 app once again to help basketball fans track how many steps they have done in the Walking Challenge, while the introduction of the Biking Challenge meant they could track their distance covered .

This was an invitation to basketball fans and citizens to walk to the Final Four facilities and around the world, which further allowed them to get to know the city better at the same time. This helped with ensuring individuals understood the importance to use these sustainable mobility alternatives and take action on achieving healthy habits, which have benefits for both them and the planet.

Over the course of the Final Four, the Final Four volunteers were encouraged to move around Berlin in a sustainable way through a dedicated Walking Challenge organized for them, while they were also provided with public transportation passes to be used during the event, if needed.

There were 11,142 fans from over 45 countries across the world who signed up for the Final Four sustainable mobility challenges. Altogether, they recorded 184,043,130 steps in the Walking Challenge and 11,070km in the Biking Challenge over the course of three days – from Friday, May 24, to Sunday, May 26. 

When you combine those two sets of numbers together – the combined steps from the Walking Challenge and the kilometers from the Biking Challenge – that’s the equivalent of walking and biking around the world five times, which helped save 25,066 kilograms of carbon emissions at this year's EuroLeague Final Four. Across the last two Final Fours, the initiative of One Team and #Walk15 has led to 54,539 kilograms of carbon emissions being avoided.

The EuroLeague Final Four is the perfect place for One Team to demonstrate the way in which it impacts lives all year round. Between Thursday, May 23, and Sunday, May 26, One Team hosted a series of events that positively impacted the community and good causes.

 

To kick things off, One Team put on a session for the Final Four volunteers on Thursday to help them understand just what the program represents while creating a bond between one another ahead of the event. The volunteers took part in a typical One Team session, which included five stations in which different activities were carried out by ALBA Berlin’s One Team Coaches and Manager, in addition to three Final Four Ambassadors in Joe Arlauckas, Patrick Femerling and David Rivers.

 

 

“Of the weekend that I spend here, we do so many things,” reflected Joe Arlauckas. “I always work with the volunteers on the first day and \[the Final Four Ambassadors session\] is always the last day. They’re two special days, really. \[The Final Four Ambassadors session\] is the most special for me because this is the way I started with the EuroLeague, with One Team. Every time I hear that they started in 2012 and I joined in 2014, it makes me feel more of a part of it. The most important thing is it’s a way for us to give back. Everybody talks about giving back, but sometimes there’s not a way to give back. One Team gives us that opportunity.”

 

The following day, Lisa Tetzner Schule elementary school took center stage as One Team and BKT came together to unveil a refurbished court. Once the unveiling was done, it was time for the fun to begin. The schoolkids, who are socially disadvantaged children in a socio-economically challenging environment, were able to witness a spectacular breakdancing display, before joining in for some One Team activities featuring Final Four Ambassadors Femerling and Heiko Schaffartzik. There were so many smiles on the kids’ faces, and they now have an improved basketball court that they can make the most of.

 

“The most important thing is that the kids feel great,” commented Patrick Femerling. “I think they had fun, and we always have fun. Every year we do it, every time we do it, it’s something special. We are one society and One Team.”

 

On Saturday morning, One Team took over Kraftwerk, the location for the Final Four FanZone, by putting on a session for ALBA’s One Team participants that featured players from all four Final Four clubs. Present at the event were: Juancho Hernangomez and Kostas Antetokounmpo from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, Eli Ndiaye from Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul duo Nigel Hayes-Davis and Georgios Papagiannis, and Olympiacos Piraeus pair Kostas Papanikolaou and Giannoulis Larentzakis. They joined in with the on-court activities, which were led by ALBA’s One Team Coaches, then the session came to a close with an exhibition game for fun that saw the players and participants mixed together across two teams.

Championship game day saw another One Team session at Kraftwerk, only this time it featured the Final Four Ambassadors and participants from Special Olympics Germany. ALBA’s One Team Coaches once again prepared the on-court drills, with the Final Four Ambassadors and participants getting familiar with one another before an exhibition game closed the session. The playful nature of the exhibition game led to some laughs, too, as Joe Arlauckas – playing for the team in the black bibs – tried to steal any player who was making shots for the orange team, leaving Femerling and Felipe Reyes’s side shorthanded. Nevertheless, the orange team came out on top and everyone came together one last time in a circle before shouting “One Team”. Once the session had come to an end, the Final Four Ambassadors posed for photos and signed autographs for the participants from Special Olympics Germany. The Final Four Ambassadors who were present were: Joe Arlauckas, Patrick Femerling, Felipe Reyes, Ramunas Siskauskas, Jonas Maciulis, Igor Rakocevic and David Rivers.

 

“This is what it’s really all about at the end of the day, giving these kids a moment of joy where they can be active and express themselves with the ambassadors of EuroLleague One Team,” said David Rivers. “This is really what’s most important during this week, really. The games are great, but what One Team does is immeasurable, the impact it has on local communities and projects and events like this.”

 

“These types of events are very nice for us former basketball players that can play a little with the guys from Special Olympics Germany and One Team,” noted Felipe Reyes. “We are very happy to be here to spend some time having fun and, above all, seeing them so happy.”

 

“I always say that it’s a very good session, a very good event,” stated Ramunas Siskauskas. “It’s very important for everybody – for the kids, for Euroleague \[Basketball\], for us. We all are One Team, so I think these words say everything.”

 

“This participation in Euroleague \[Basketball\]’s One Team is very important,” said Jonas Maciulis. “It’s important for the kids. It’s very nice to be part of it for us as ex-players because we understand that this participation is needed. We have to give our contribution to communities.”

 

A few hours after the Final Four Ambassadors and Special Olympics Germany participants took over the court on the upper floor of Kraftwerk, another collaboration between One Team and BKT saw a bike donation event take place. The joint venture saw 30 bikes donated to ALBA Berlin’s One Team program and to Special Olympics Germany, with the aim being to encourage healthy habits and promote sustainable mobility for communities in Berlin.

 

“Thank you so much for this four-year collaboration with One Team,” said Marco Santin, sponsorships specialist at BKT. “And a special thank you to ALBA Berlin and Special Olympics for accepting the BKT bikes. We love the fact that together we are able to foster a positive and concrete change with this donation."

 

“All of this is thanks to BKT,” added Abigail Martin, Director of Sustainability and Development Projects at Euroleague Basketball. “We’ve been in partnership for four years and it’s all built on communities and everything One Team stands for. So the fact we have a partner like BKT that deeply supports our goals is amazing.”

 

Basketball fans from all over the world were able to see a couple of One Team activities during the two showpiece events on Sunday, too. First, during halftime of the ANGT Championship Game at Uber Eats Music Hall, Euroleague Basketball invited ALBA’s One Team participants to take part in a One Team drill, accompanied by one player from each ANGT participant team apart from the two finalists. They participated in an activity in front of the crowd, which allowed for a powerful and inclusive experience. The main purpose of this activation was to show to these young players the importance to be close to their local communities and become not only a professional player but also a role model.

 

Then, between the first and second quarter of the EuroLeague Championship Game at Uber Arena, ALBA’s One Team participants and athletes from Special Olympics Germany went onto the court alongside Final Four Ambassadors for an unforgettable moment of recognition and a family picture.

A number of activities took place in Berlin, Germany

One Team left its mark at the 2024 Final Four

Being in prison is never easy, especially at a young age. For one 20-year-old inmate at the General Directorate of the Juvenile Penitentiary Centre (CPJ), FC Barcelona and its One Team program has helped play a key role in his personal growth.

A One Team success story: FC Barcelona

Being in prison is never easy, especially at a young age. For one 20-year-old inmate at the General Directorate of the Juvenile Penitentiary Centre (CPJ), FC Barcelona and its One Team program has helped play a key role in his personal growth.

During a two-year stint in prison, this individual was able to take advantage of the One Team sessions put on by Barcelona. While he had problems when it came to controlling his emotions, particularly anger, at the start of the process, two years on he is now a far more caring, understanding person who is now a part of society.

Just a couple of years ago, the attitude problems he dealt with often led to confrontations with many people, including his colleagues, i.e. the fellow inmates taking part in the sessions, the professionals and, at times, even the officials during the activities. When playing basketball, he would become nervous and verbally abuse his teammates and the teacher, so a challenge was set for him to begin to internalize the values that he was learning through both basketball and the One Team program. These, of course, relate to teamwork and respect, as well as a positive attitude, perseverance and showing an effort to improve as an individual.

Notably, he never stopped participating in the One Team sessions and was one of the most consistent attendees. Over time, his regular presence led to him becoming an important part of the group and a reference point for others, with his motivation and desire to help others seeing him become a role model. By taking part in so many sessions, he was able to generate a closer bond with the educator and actively helped when it came to the management and preparation of the training material. What’s more, the change in his attitude saw him begin to express his feelings and show gratitude for the project, while he even stepped in as a mediator in any conflicts.

Through his active participation in the project, he was able to develop his communication and emotional management skills, which in turn had a positive impact in his ability to control his anger and annoyance. Before, he admits that he would take that frustration with him out onto the street. By working on his patience and empathy, two skills he struggled with at the beginning of his involvement in the One Team sessions, he put himself on a good path that has aided him in his later return to society.

Having internalized the One Team methodology and become a role model for the group, he has shown that perseverance and hard work truly pays off. The others were able to see how he used sports to positively build his personal development and escape from reality in a stress-relieving activity, so long as the right attitude is applied. He is now out of prison after gaining his freedom in progressive steps, having had scheduled outings before returning to the center until the end of his sentence.

Importantly, he expressed gratitude and stated that the One Team sessions allowed him to focus during his time in prison, while also giving him the tools to reach his personal ambitions and learn valuable lessons, which he will carry during this new opportunity he has been given.

Through its One Team program, Barcelona, alongside its Foundation and the General Directorate of the Juvenile Penitentiary Centre (CPJ), worked with 15 to 20 men aged between 18 and 24. The goal of the program was to use basketball as a tool for education and learning values, which these individuals could then take with them as they look to reenter society and gain future employment.

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