« When I was a kid there were two places you could always find me. » It’s easy to guess where Luka Doncic spent most of his time as a child: on the outdoor basketball court behind his building in Ljubljana, or in the room where he took the rebound for the others.
« Basketball – whether played indoors or outdoors, in any country or city – is where I have always found joy. I learned that in English you could describe this as my ‘sanctuary’ or my ‘escape’. I like to say that basketball is my ‘place of peace’ », Describes the Slovenian.
With a view to preserving this “joy” which animated him and still animates him, the Mavs superstar decided to launch his foundation, the creation of which will be made official this Saturday, World Basketball Day. “ Do they have the same access to basketball – to joy – as I do? “, asks Luka Doncic, thinking of young people, before answering: “ I fear that is not the case. »
Many basketball players interviewed
This is based on a study commissioned by his foundation on the practice of basketball among young people in the United States and in his native region of the Balkans.
The Athletic reports that over five months, researchers conducted in-depth interviews with dozens of basketball coaches, players, parents, trainers and experts. And collected letters from children who explained the importance of this sport to them.
« Our report found that pressure on children to be perfect – by treating matches as if they were a job or a way to achieve ‘highlights’ – leads to lower rates of historical abandonment: seven out of ten children leave youth sport at the age of 13 “, alarms Luka Doncic, demanding: “ This has to change. »
Hence his desire, via his foundation, to encourage the creation of programs “ more fulfilling and positive » for children, under the direction of a “Youth Sports Steering Council” filled with legends of the discipline: Dirk Nowitzki, Stephen Curry, Sabrina Ionescu, Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Pau Gasol, Igor Kokoskov, as well as as Bill Duffy, his agent.
The pressure at a very young age
« This is an initiative that is not only important for him, but also for all of us who love basketball. It is essential that our sport continues to grow and is accessible to all children », displays for example Dirk Nowitzki, his predecessor as leader of the Mavs.
Paradoxically, Luka Doncic is one of those who experienced pressure from a very young age. The Slovenian joined Real Madrid at just 13 years old. “ It was a source of pressure. But I had fun playing basketball, going to Madrid. It was nice for me », he adds to The Athletic.
This period is now distant for him who says he still feels today, with the Mavs, “ the same feeling as when I was five years old. When I’m on the pitch and I’m having fun, I feel like the ball is smiling back at me. I want as many young people as possible to see that same smiling balloon. I want every child to feel the same happiness, whatever sport they play. »
