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By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Bouncing for Good visited Athens with players and more supporting the project.
The children got to meet Olympiacos duo Giannoulis Larentzakis and Shaquielle McKissic, and Panathinaikos Aktor pair Juancho Hernangomez and Dimitris Moraitis.
Euroleague Basketball provided additional details on Tuesday.
Per the press release: “After successful events in Sopot, Milan, Paris, and Vitoria, Euroleague Basketball’s One Team program and Motorola brought their “Bouncing for Good” initiative to Athens. On April 1, a special workshop took place at the 57th Primary School of Athens, where 80 children aged between eight and eleven participated in the event.
The workshop was made even more memorable by the presence of two One Team Ambassadors, one from either side of the Greek divide: Olympiacos Piraeus guard Giannoulis Larentzakis and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard Dimitris Moraitis. They joined forces to share their passion for the game and encourage the young participants.
The workshop focused on skills that the kids can learn from basketball. It was designed to instill key life values such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline – values that will benefit the children both on and off the court. The event aimed to empower the young participants to develop as individuals, with strong character and leadership potential inspired by the values of sport and the voices of their favorite athletes.
The 57th Primary School of Athens, located in Kolonos, an underprivileged district where many families face socioeconomic challenges and social exclusion, plays a crucial role as a safe and supportive space for children. Many of the students come from immigrant backgrounds and grapple with poverty and limited access to educational resources. Despite these difficulties, the school is a vibrant environment where dedicated teachers and staff work relentlessly to inspire and uplift students, nurturing their potential and encouraging them to dream beyond their current circumstances.
On April 8, the “Bouncing for Good” initiative continued with the donation of basketballs to 150 children from the 57th Primary School of Athens. This event, which took place from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the school’s outdoor court, was attended by Larentzakis and Olympiacos teammate Shaquielle McKissic, who is also a One Team Ambassador, as well as two One Team Ambassadors from Panathinaikos, Moraitis and Juancho Hernangomez. Together, they personally handed over the basketballs, giving the children the tools they need to continue pursuing their love of the sport and further develop important life skills.
Juancho Hernangómez expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, saying: “It’s an honor to be part of the One Team-Motorola ‘Bouncing for Good’ initiative and to share these special moments with the children. Basketball has given me so much, and being able to give back—whether through a simple gesture like donating a basketball or spending time with them on the court—means a lot to me. I truly believe in the power of sport to inspire and unite, and I’m grateful to be involved in this meaningful program.”
Giannoulis Larentzakis echoed this sentiment, highlighting his commitment to One Team’s mission: “Seeing the excitement in these kids’ eyes reminds me why initiatives like this matter so much. Basketball teaches us values like teamwork, perseverance, and respect—lessons that extend far beyond the game. I’m proud to be a One Team Ambassador and to take part in projects that make a real difference in young people’s lives.”
Daniela Idi, EMEA Marketing Director at Motorola, shared her thoughts on the initiative: “This project has been about more than basketball — it’s about creating moments of inspiration and showing children that their dreams matter. Closing the season in Athens, with the incredible energy of the students and support from Euroleague and local heroes, has been the perfect way to wrap up this journey — and we look forward to returning in September to reach even more young dreamers”
Abigail Martin, Director of Sustainability & Development Projects at Euroleague Basketball, “Thanks to this beautiful collaboration with Motorola, Euroleague Basketball’s social program One Team has been able to make a deeper impact in our communities through the EuroLeague and EuroCup clubs’ One Team programs and with the player ambassadors taking on a key role in sharing the developmental benefits to their sport and inspiring school students to give the best version of themselves by using sport’s values.”
This initiative aims to build on the school’s efforts by providing students with hands-on experiences in technology, teamwork, respect, and fun. For these children, this workshop is a rare opportunity to explore new possibilities, develop essential skills, and build the confidence to envision a brighter future. The experience hopes to leave a lasting impact, reinforcing the school’s vital role in shaping the lives of its students and offering hope to the wider community.
The “Bouncing for Good” initiative is part of a long-term collaboration between One Team, Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program, and Motorola. This partnership is key to creating lasting impact in the community and helping to bridge gaps in society in association with the clubs’ One Team programs and the players that season after season support their communities as One Team Ambassadors.
As the program continues, it will strengthen the bonds within the community, offer new opportunities, and inspire future generations to dream big as they go in pursuit of their goals.”