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Luka Dončić Foundation Launch

Luka Dončić, the talented point guard for the Dallas Mavericks and the captain of the Slovenian National Team, is taking a monumental step for youth sports worldwide. On December 21, World Basketball Day, Dončić will launch the Luka Dončić Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to ensuring that youth sports remain a joyful and enriching experience for children around the globe.

Having experienced the significant influence of youth sports on his own life, Dončić is passionate about providing future generations with the same opportunities for enjoyment and empowerment that sports offer. The foundation is tackling alarming trends, such as the fact that up to 70% of young athletes disengage from sports by the age of 13, as reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Therefore, the foundation has developed the Total Hoops Approach, a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance access to basketball and prioritize the positive development of children through sports.

Before the launch, the Luka Dončić Foundation commissioned an extensive study focusing on youth basketball in the United States and Europe, particularly within the Balkans—regions known for producing some of the world’s finest basketball players. The findings highlighted unique strengths within each region’s youth sports systems while also documenting a worrying trend: joy, creativity, and exploration are being neglected in youth basketball. The study revealed the urgent need for a new approach to revive the spirit of play in sports.

In Dončić’s words, “Basketball has been my joy since day one. I want young people everywhere to experience the same happiness I have found on the court.” He emphasizes that sports should be a safe environment for children to learn, grow, laugh, and make mistakes. As part of this vision, the total findings from the extensive study and the Total Hoops Approach will be shared in a report titled Inside Youth Basketball, which will debut on the same day as the foundation's launch.

The official launch event will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, where the Mavericks will face off against the Clippers. As part of this celebration, 750 children from the Dallas area, representing various youth organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs and Girl Scouts, will be guests of Dončić, helping spread awareness about the foundation’s mission.

Dončić’s foundation will be supported by a Youth Sports Leadership Council, comprising athletes, coaches, and sports advocates committed to fostering positive change in youth sports globally. Esteemed council members include:

• - Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors guard
• - Pau Gasol, basketball Hall of Famer
• - Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty player
• - Steve Nash, two-time MVP and Hall of Famer
• - Dirk Nowitzki, another basketball great and philanthropist

These members share a common ethos with Dončić regarding the transformative power of sports. Curry expressed appreciation for Dončić's commitment, stating, “Luka continues to make a lasting impact, helping children and families in need from Dallas to Slovenia.”

This foundation’s mission isn't just limited to immediate goals; it aims for a broader, long-term impact. The Luka Dončić Foundation will collaborate with organizations such as FIBA, the NBA, and various youth development programs, seeking to implement pilot initiatives based on the Total Hoops Approach. Dončić himself has pledged over $2.5 million to support the foundation's efforts.

With the Inside Youth Basketball report as a guiding document, the foundation and its leadership council aim to foster youth sports environments that nurture creativity and fun, inspiring children to embrace sports and foster a community spirit. As the foundation prepares to launch, excitement is building among sports enthusiasts and advocates alike, eager to see how Dončić’s vision will reshape youth basketball.

For more information about the Luka Dončić Foundation, the Inside Youth Basketball report, and ways to get involved, visit lukadoncicfoundation.org.