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Luka Dončić Foundation: Transforming Youth Sports

On December 21, Luka Dončić, the captain of the Slovenian men's national basketball team and a passionate philanthropist, will unveil the Luka Dončić Foundation. The launch coinciding with the global Basketball Day aims to foster a vibrant and enriching atmosphere for youth sports around the world through its mission and vision.

Having personally experienced the profound impact of youth sports, Dončić strongly believes in the importance of providing future generations with opportunities to discover the joy and transformative power derived from sports.

Background Research and Insights

Before the foundation's launch, a comprehensive study focusing on the state of youth basketball across the United States and Europe was commissioned. This research particularly highlights the Balkan region, known for producing some of the planet's top basketball talents. The findings identify unique strengths within these areas' basketball systems while revealing troubling trends: the essence of joy, creativity, and exploration is being overshadowed within the game. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a staggering 70% of young athletes abandon sports by the age of 13. In response to this alarming statistic, the Luka Dončić Foundation introduces the 'Total Hoops Approach'—a roadmap filled with bold solutions aimed at revolutionizing youth basketball by ensuring accessibility, enjoyment, and positive child development.

Luka Dončić's Vision

"Basketball has brought joy to my life since day one, and I still feel the same thrill today as I did in my youth. When I'm on the court, juggling the ball seems like it’s smiling back at me," Dončić shared, illustrating his heartfelt connection to the sport. He aspires for all youth globally to experience this same joy, asserting, "Sports should be a safe space for children to learn, grow, laugh, make mistakes, and most importantly, have fun. That’s why I'm launching this Foundation and gathering an incredible team to guide our mission."

The findings from the aforementioned study will be compiled and presented in a detailed report titled 'Inside Youth Basketball,' which will officially launch on December 21 on the foundation's website, lukadoncicfoundation.org. This report synthesizes insights from interviews with basketball innovators, dialogues with players, coaches, parents, along with responses from participants through surveys, and firsthand experiences from basketball camps and training centers. It articulates the current landscape of youth basketball in both the U.S. and Europe, detailing strengths that ought to be replicated and challenges that urgently require attention.

Community Engagement and Initiatives

The unveiling of the Foundation will occur during the Dallas Mavericks game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Basketball Day, where Dončić will host 750 youth attendees from the Dallas region, representing various organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star and local Boy and Girl Scout clubs. They will not only witness a thrilling match but also learn about the foundation's mission and strive for active engagement in its initiatives.

Underpinning the foundation's activities will be a Council of Youth Sports Leaders that will unite leading figures, including active and retired professional athletes, respected coaches, and sports advocates passionate about instigating positive changes in youth sports globally. This group, designed to develop and promote a holistic approach to youth sports training, will further support the 'Total Hoops Approach' and guide pilot programs for testing these concepts.

The founding members of this illustrious council include:

• - Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors guard
• - Bill Duffy, partner and head of the basketball division at WME
• - Pau Gasol, president of Gasol Foundation and recent inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
• - Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty guard
• - Igor Kokoškov, assistant coach of the Atlanta Hawks
• - Steve Nash, founder of The Steve Nash Foundation
• - Dirk Nowitzki, renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist
• - Tracy McGrady, entrepreneur and philanthropist

The Path Forward

In 2025 and beyond, the Luka Dončić Foundation will collaborate with organizations such as FIBA, the NBA, the Slovenian Basketball Federation, Jordan Brand, Gatorade, and others focused on sports, youth development, wellness, and education to identify and test pilot programs worldwide that embody the 'Total Hoops Approach.' Dončić is committed to contributing over $2.5 million to ensure the foundation’s mission takes root.

As Dončić embarks on this inspiring initiative, the community eagerly anticipates the transformative impact it will have on youth sports worldwide and how it will nurture the next generation of athletes. Through unified endeavors, Dončić and his colleagues aim to ensure that youth sports flourish, providing ample opportunities for learning, growth, and fulfilling empowerments through basketball.