Euroleague Players from Panathinaikos and Olympiacos Inspire Students in Athens

The Euroleague is running a series of social initiatives, one of which took place at the 57th Primary School of Athens in Kolonos. Juancho Hernangomez and Dimitris Moraitis from Panathinaikos, along with Sakiel McKissic and Giannoulis Larentzakis from Olympiacos, visited the school to engage with students through the ‘Bouncing for Good’ initiative. The four players spoke to the students and distributed basketballs as part of this program. Following successful events in Sopot, Milan, Paris, and Vitoria, the One Team program of Euroleague Basketball and Motorola brought their initiative to Athens. On April 1st, an exclusive workshop was held at the 57th Primary School of Athens, involving 80 children aged eight to eleven. The workshop focused on skills that children can learn from basketball, emphasizing life values such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. These values are intended to benefit the children both on and off the court. The school, located in a disadvantaged neighborhood where many families face socio-economic challenges, plays a crucial role in providing a safe and supportive environment for the students. Many students come from migrant backgrounds and struggle with poverty and limited access to educational resources. Despite these difficulties, the school fosters an inspiring environment where dedicated teachers and staff work tirelessly to nurture the students’ potential and encourage them to dream beyond their current circumstances. The initiative continued on April 8th with the donation of basketballs to 150 children from the school. During this event, Larentzakis, his teammate Sakiel McKissic, and two One Team Ambassadors from Panathinaikos, Moraitis and Juancho, personally handed out the balls. This allowed the children to continue pursuing their love for the sport and develop essential life skills. Players expressed their enthusiasm about the initiative, with Hernangomez stating how rewarding it is to give back through basketball. Larentzakis echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of teaching values like teamwork, persistence, and respect, which extend far beyond the game itself. The initiative aims to support the school’s efforts by providing practical experiences in technology, teamwork, respect, and entertainment. For these children, the workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore new possibilities, develop fundamental skills, and build confidence for envisioning a better future.