By Tania Ganguli
At the age of 13, Luka Doncic relocated from Slovenia to Spain to join Real Madrid, despite not speaking English or Spanish. However, he was fluent in basketball, burdened with the expectations of a prestigious professional team.
Despite this pressure, it was an enjoyable experience for him, similar to the joy he finds now as a prominent star in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks.
He has observed that many young athletes worldwide do not share this experience, with several abandoning basketball during their teenage years.
“I think the kids are somewhat stressed,” Doncic remarked in a recent interview.
This year, his foundation, launching this week and aimed at enriching children’s lives through sports, enlisted a research group named Nonfiction to examine youth basketball in the Balkans and the U.S. Researchers spent five months conducting comprehensive interviews with numerous coaches, players, parents, trainers, and basketball specialists. They also surveyed over 1,200 parents of young basketball athletes and fully engaged with eight basketball camps and training facilities. Additionally, they gathered letters from children expressing the significance of basketball in their lives.
The findings from the research indicated that youth programs in the Balkans placed greater emphasis on teamwork than on individual performance. They discovered that following the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, much of the government support for basketball in that area vanished. Corporations that stepped in to offer sponsorships occasionally pressured teams for victories, resulting in some coaches neglecting player development in favor of winning.
In the United States, the research unveiled a vibrant basketball culture capable of producing leading global stars but prioritizing viral social media highlights over real player development. A quarter of American parents surveyed indicated that youth basketball seemed more focused on generating revenue than on nurturing children’s skills.
“I don’t encounter many 25-year-olds who invest in research initiatives, but to him, it was incredibly important,” stated Lara Beth Seager, executive director of Doncic’s foundation. She further remarked, “It was crucial for him to conduct research to identify how he could assist and where we could make the most significant impact.”
With Doncic’s guidance, the researchers developed a list of principles essential for youth basketball programs to foster healthy physical and emotional development in children. These principles include a “team-first mentality” and “program continuity.” According to Seager, they incorporated “embracing mess and joy” at Doncic’s insistence, reflecting his creative style of play.
Doncic is also gathering a coalition of current and former players to establish a youth sports council. This group features NBA superstar Stephen Curry and retired legends like Pau Gasol, who grew up in Spain; Dirk Nowitzki from Germany; Steve Nash, born in South Africa and raised in Canada; and Tracy McGrady, who jumped straight from high school to the NBA. WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty will also participate, alongside Bill Duffy, Doncic’s agent, and Igor Kokoskov, an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks and former coach of Slovenia’s national team.
Doncic recently shared insights with The New York Times regarding this initiative and his ongoing joy in a lucrative industry. Here are some modified excerpts from that conversation.
Q: What inspired your foundation’s focus on youth basketball?
A: Basketball has meant a great deal to me. It still holds significant value. I aim to provide children with the same experience I had because basketball transformed my life for the better. I gained so much from it—courage, experience, passion.
Q: In your letter at the report’s start, you mentioned witnessing kids lose the joy and magic of basketball. How did you become aware of this?
A: There’s considerable pressure, particularly with the influence of social media. I feel there’s an excessive focus on highlights. Ultimately, I wish to restore joy and fun for the kids, similar to what I experienced. After I finished school, I played basketball, and it was the most enjoyable thing for me. You know, I had pure fun.
Q: Did you ever find the pressure to be somewhat overwhelming in your younger years?
A: For me, moving to Madrid at 13 was indeed pressure. However, I cherished playing basketball and found joy in my time in Madrid. It was all fun for me. Hence, I want to help others find enjoyment without worrying about external opinions and just enjoy the game.
Q: Does being a professional basketball player complicate finding joy, given that it’s your occupation?
A: No, I wouldn’t say that. There’s even more joy now. My dream was always to reach the top level of basketball, and I remain focused on that journey. I continue to pursue this every single day.
Q: What about the game inspires joy for you currently?
A: I don’t perceive it as merely a job. It’s about having fun out there. Certainly, there will be challenges; losing games or poor performances. But these are all part of the experience, and it’s exciting to face these challenges.
Q: Does the criticism contribute to the enjoyment of the game?
A: Absolutely. It’s always present, especially today with the prevalence of social media. Yet I choose to view that as motivation.
Q: Does competing for the MVP award bring you joy? Is that something you find enjoyable?
A: Naturally. Who wouldn’t want to be the NBA MVP? However, for me, championships come first. Last year was so close, and that serves as motivation for me as well.
Q: Have you learned anything about recovering from losses that has proven valuable in your personal life?
A: Definitely. Particularly from significant losses. The initial days can be challenging, and you reflect on what could have been different. Then, it’s about letting go and moving forward, learning from mistakes, and striving to improve. This applies both in basketball and personal life.
Q: The researchers garnered journal entries from children involved in basketball. Did you have a chance to read them?
A: Yes.
Q: What were your thoughts on those letters?
A: One key takeaway is how deeply the game resonates with them and their love for it. This stands out to me. Ultimately, the aim is to encourage children to play basketball for enjoyment and not think about anything else while on the court, allowing them to truly relax and savor the experience.
