One Team, Euroleague Basketball's Corporate Social Responsibility program, was front and center at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone with a pair of sessions that included some of the EuroLeague's biggest stars. 

On Friday, May 19, the afternoon of the EuroLeague Final Four semifinals, a group of Final Four Ambassadors, which included past greats of the game, met athletes from Special Olympics Lithuania at the FanZone main court for a session open to the public. The session was led by Zalgiris Kaunas's One Team coaches with the support of Euroleague Basketball and consisted of several activities focused on life skills, culminating in an animated 3-on-3 inclusive game. 

"Zalgiris Kaunas is a club that is strongly meshed with the community and through One Team we have found more ways to strengthen that connection with families," Final Four Ambassador and Zalgiris assistant general manager Paulius Jankunas said. "Not only does the One Team program have such a strong positive impact on the participants, it is incredibly rewarding for the players, too."

"Events such as these are among the highlights of the Final Four," Final Four Ambassador and Kaunas native Jonas Maciulis added. "It brings me personally great pleasure to see smiles on the faces of these children and I am very proud to be able to take part in it."

The following morning, One Team Ambassadors from the participating Final Four teams congregated at the FanZone for a session with the Zalgiris Kaunas One Team participants. 

“I am very honored to be part of this organization and try to develop and try to give some special moments to these kids," Adam Hanga of Real Madrid said. "I have kids of my own, so I know how important this is. It takes us out of thinking about basketball and thinking about the most important thing in our life, which is the kids, their lives, and how they are going to approach life. And how we can help them. Especially like this today, it can give them a lot of hope and some positive energy. One Team does an incredible job throughout the years."

Together they celebrated the positive impact the One Team continues to have on Euroleague club’s local communities. The sessions saw the One Team Ambassadors take part in several activities and games alongside the local participants. 

"I think this is above everything," concurred EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov of Olympiacos Piraeus. "The last couple of years One Team gave Kostas \[Papanikolaou\] and me an opportunity to have this interaction throughout the season with the kids. I think it is the most important for the kids to have fun, to smile, to find motivation through us and with us, to play this sport and we are very happy to give them this joy and happiness. One Team does a great job, and I am sure it will be even better and better and more and more in the next years."

One Team's impact seen through sessions with EuroLeague stars, Final Four Ambassadors at FanZone 

For many of the volunteers staffing the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, the opening activity was a One Team welcome session at Kaunas Hall opened by the City of Kaunas' Head of Sports, Tadas Vasiliauskas, and Euroleague Basketball's Director of Sustainability, Abigail Martín, thanking all volunteers in advance for the importance of the role they play for the success of the event. Before the Final Four games begin, the volunteers, who hail from across Europe and many other countries around the globe, broke the ice at the One Team session. 

Using the activities that One Team coaches from Zalgiris Kaunas employed during the season, the annual welcome session was a fun and dynamic team-building event, at the same time aiming to raise awareness among the volunteers on the need to help those who are at risk of social exclusion. While building camaraderie ahead of a busy and exciting Final Four weekend, volunteers also learned more about One Team's goals and the positive impact that the program continues to have on the local communities of Euroleague Basketball clubs.

Final Four Ambassadors also took part in the hour-long session on Thursday and helped show appreciation for the efforts of the volunteers.

"Everybody knows what One Team is all about; we try to help as many people as we can," Joe Arlauckas, a Final Four Ambassador, said. "Here in this type of situation, it's an incredible thing what the volunteers do for the tournament. The Final Four is only as good as it can be with the volunteers. The exercises we do here help people get to the next level."

"It's very nice to meet volunteers who are here for a third or fourth time," Ramunas Siskauskas, a former EuroLeague MVP from Lithuania, said. "It's very important to involve all the people and all the communities to become one big family. It's very nice to see people from all over the world come here and they attend the events. I am very glad to be part of One Team and this community. I'm proud and happy for Euroleague that they decided many years ago to start this project."

The volunteers needed only a little bit of instruction to know that One Team was for them, too.

"It was amazing to see some stars who played EuroLeague before and just to know more about how One Team works, the components of it," Egle Stankeviciute, one of the volunteers, said. "I think it's amazing and that everybody should learn more about One Team."

"We are all One Team," said Darius Maciulevicus, another volunteer. "We are all together from the highest level to the lower levels. Whatever time we have, it all adds up to help others and also help ourselves. Giving is a big happiness if you can share."

 Final Four volunteers gather for One Team welcome session  

Euroleague Basketball is pleased to announce two initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability, mobility, education and emissions impact awareness that will take place at the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania, from May 18 to 21. The first program is a reforestation campaign and the second is the [Final Four Walking Challenge](https://ftpserver.euroleague.net/general/instructions.pdf), which will also allow locals and visitors to support the reforestation campaign.

As part of the reforestation campaign, Euroleague Basketball aims to plant 15,000 trees in Kaunas. To tip off the campaign, 10,000 trees were already planted by Euroleague Basketball and its partner, #walk15, in the Dubravos Forest last Saturday, May 6. Euroleague Basketball Legend Ramunas Siskauskas and Zalgiris Kaunas Legend Paulius Jankunas actively participated in the planting of the trees. It is estimated that 10,000 new trees will help absorb more than 100 tons of CO2 emitted into the environment each year, while the species of trees being planted will contribute to the needs of the local wildlife.

Final Four Walking Challenge!

The [Final Four Walking Challenge](https://ftpserver.euroleague.net/general/instructions.pdf), which runs throughout Final Four weekend, will ask participants to take at least 10,000 steps on each of the four days. Not only will the extra walking promote sustainable mobility, healthy habits, and emissions reductions, but it will be the source of more trees being planted to reach the goal of 15,000. In addition, participants can win prizes!

Euroleague Basketball will collaborate with the popular Lithuanian app #walk15 on both initiatives. To take part in the [Final Four Walking Challenge](https://ftpserver.euroleague.net/general/instructions.pdf), fans – whether Final Four ticket holders or not – should simply download the free #walk15 app through the [Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/walk15/id1155907677) or [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.walk15.pedometer&gl=ES). Once registered, they can join one of the Final Four teams – AS Monaco, FC Barcelona, Olympiacos Piraeus or Real Madrid – or the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague team.

The goal of the challenge is for participants, both as individuals and team members, to achieve the highest number of steps over those four days. The challenge will be open to everyone in the city of Kaunas and abroad. Registration opens on Thursday, May 11. 

To be eligible for the prizes, participants must walk at least 10,000 steps on each day of the challenge. Eligible participants will be included in a raffle for tickets to the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany. There will be additional prizes for the top three walkers from each of the five teams. Euroleague Basketball and its partner, adidas, will also offer on-site prize opportunities for visiting specific locations, including the Adidas Next Generation Tournament at Kaunas Sports Hall and the FanZone at Unity Square, through dedicated routes. The app will also allow the participants to store their steps in a wallet to exchange them for a special Final Four discount of 15% on trains from Vilnius to Kaunas. [See all terms and conditions here](https://ftpserver.euroleague.net/general/TCFinalFourWalkingChallenge.pdf). 

This initiative is being supported by our friends and Final Four collaborators at #walk15, the Lithuanian Forestry Office, Lithuanian train company LTG Link, Kauno autobusai, Zalgiris Kaunas, adidas and the City of Kaunas.

Walking Challenge headlines 2023 Final Four sustainability initiatives

The importance of protecting the planet is becoming a bigger and bigger issue with each passing year, and One Tean also wants to play an important role in the fight against climate change with Frutti Extra Bursaspor. On the United Nations' International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which has the theme of "Scoring for People and the Planet", a well-earned spotlight has been placed on Bursaspor's accomplishments with its One Team project.

Throughout the 2022-23 season, Bursaspor has partnered with Unitimsah to implement its One Team objectives. One of the tasks that those involved with Bursaspor's One Team project have undertaken is to produce mini basketball hoops, which are then used at Tofas Spor Salonu – the club's arena – to collect plastic lids on game days.

Once Bursaspor's home games have come to an end, these plastic lids are then transferred to a local sustainable factory in exchange for some funds. This money is then used to support the project involving students with special needs from the Tophane Vocational Technical Anatolian high school project, as they help to create real basketball hoops for disadvantaged schools from rural areas.

Bursaspor's One Team program is supported by Unitimsah volunteers, who take an important role within the sessions, and it funded by Frutti Extra and some local sponsors from Bursa.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Bursaspor puts climate change at center of One Team project

Always active and committed to the One Team project, Valencia Basket of Spain celebrated a decade of collaboration with One Team by delivering its 11th project. This time, the club is collaborating with the Asindown Foundation, with which they organized 10 exciting practices for the children and a great performance on La Fonteta during the One Team Games. In the sessions, the children are encouraged to work together, embrace team activities and, most of all, have fun with basketball. It was a great experience to remember for everyone, including One Tem Ambassadors Xabi Lopez-Arostegi, James Webb and Laia Lamana.

"They had great energy, talking, laughing, running around, playing tag, trying to shoot hoops..." Webb explains. "It was a great experience."

"They show so much joy, as if they have known you forever," Lamana says. "I think it's beautiful and I would do it a thousand times."

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Valencia completes 11th One Team project

Prior to all Round 29 EuroLeague and Round 16 EuroCup tipoffs, a One Team participant will present the game ball. At halftime, more One Team participants will take part in on-court activities and have the opportunity to be recognized by the local crowds. Then, before the second half starts, they will be joined by the One Team Ambassadors from both teams for a picture together at midcourt.

Just like every season, the One Team Games have landed both on the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7DAYS EuroCup! From Tuesday through Friday, the entire One Team family will come together as ambassadors, coaches, players, legends and staff members to raise the visibility of programs that, thanks to the clubs, support thousands across the continent who are at risk of social exclusion.

One Team Games 2023 gallery

Virtus Segafredo Bologna continues to make great strides with its One Team program, and it recently opened its arms to the club's youth academy, the girls of Magika Castel San Pietro and the entire PGS Welcome Baskin team. There was a wonderful atmosphere on display, with plenty of smiles and laughs throughout the session.

It was not only Virtus's One Team organizers that oversaw the activities, though, as first-team players Daniel Hackett and Gora Camara joined One Team Ambassador Kyle Weems in taking part. Together, everyone learned about how to work together on the court and how to utilize this collaborative spirit on a day-to-day basis in everyday life. 

"It is an educational experience that our Italian school cannot give our children, so a heartfelt thank you from us for the organizational effort you make," commented the parent of one One Team participant from Virtus's youth academy. 

"On behalf of myself and my wife, I wanted to thank Virtus and Euroleague for involving Tommy in this year's One Team program. It's an incredible experience that our son enjoys from the bottom of his heart. He often asks me about some of his mates' problems and is happy to witness the joy on their faces after a made basket or when a player passes him the ball."

In fact, Virtus's session utilized one of the keys to the One Team methodology, as there was an opportunity at the end of each activity to reflect and discuss what life skills were on show. The participants took part in the sport of baskin, which is inspired by basketball and has modified rules to allow everyone – regardless of gender or disability – to take part. 

"Thank you very much. My daughter came back so happy that she couldn't sleep – she's still awake with adrenaline! Thank you very much," said the parent of one One Team participant from Magika A.S.D. 

What's more, the participants are able to understand how the virtues demonstrated through the sport of basketball can also be used away from the court.

"It was really exciting. I had previous baskin experience in Pesaro, but it’s totally different. Watching baskin and basketball players cooperate like this, guided by amazing coaches, is great. I’m glad to have brought my children and wife today,” added Virtus guard Daniel Hackett.

Virtus's One Team program sees members of the baskin team teach basketball to the club's youngsters, who then use what they have learned on their journeys in both their personal lives and also in sport. These sessions are led by an experienced team of One Team coaches, who work with the boys in their groups every day.

"This year's Virtus Bologna One Team session has been very special. Us basketball players had the chance to learn a new, amazing and inclusive sport called baskin. The \[PGS Welcome\] Baskin players have been playing with us during this session as if we've been playing together forever. It's been really special to share our passion for basketball during this time. After all, we are all One Team," stated Virtus forward Kyle Weems.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

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Virtus's One Team session ends with many happy faces!

As the first phase of EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's One Team project came to a close, 140 students from the Arcadia Institute took part in [a training day with the club's One Team instructors and members of the first team](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=845554956517569) at Assago Forum. 

Using three buses provided by Milan, the students and their teachers arrived at the arena and were welcomed by the club's One Team leaders, who guided them into the stands. They were then able to watch the first part of the players' practice.

At the halfway point of the practice, the students were able to go down to the court to see the players, who greeted them with love and affection. There were plenty of high fives going around, too! Shortly after, everyone got together to take a group photo with the tag 'One Team'.

The students then returned to the stands for the second half of the practice, as they watched the players engage in shooting drills. Once the practice had come to a close, the students were able to step onto the court once again, but this time for a session of their own.

Led by Milan's One Team coaches, Marilisa, Alessandro and Domenico, the seven classes took part in a shooting competition. The students were arranged in two rows behind the baseline in their respective halves of the court before the activity got underway. One after the other, they dribbled to the middle of the court, turned back around and passed to their partner. Then, they positioned themselves to shoot and tried to get a teammate free, before everyone shot together as part of the shooting challenge.

After, the four classes that scored the most baskets were able to advance to the semifinals. The competition closed with a very evenly balanced final, which was decided by a single basket. Once the activity had come to a close, everyone joined together for one final shout of "One Team!" As the students left the arena, they received a small gift from Milan.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Grandi emozioni al One Team Day per 140 studenti ➡ <a href="https://t.co/3Anv8O7OO1">https://t.co/3Anv8O7OO1</a> <br><br>💙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/LaureusSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaureusSport</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ScaloMilano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScaloMilano</a> <a href="https://t.co/FYJJtmvxc2">pic.twitter.com/FYJJtmvxc2</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1615365142769766401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Laureus, Milan's social partner, compiled some short interviews with the students and the players during this enjoyable day. One of the players who was spoken to was Milan's One Team ambassador, Kyle Hines, who had an important message for the students:

"It is cool to see so many kids and so many people enthusiastic to see our practice and see us play, but the thing I would recommend as a parent and as a dad is to keep following your dream. You know, stay motivated. Pursue your dream and pursue everything that you love and want. But also enjoy yourselves. Enjoy life, enjoy every day and make sure that you're happy with everything and anything that you do."

The second phase of Milan's One Team program will begin in the not-too-distant future.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities.

With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of ‘community integration’ that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.

Milan's One Team Day a great success

Zalgiris Kaunas continues the implementation of the social project One Team and announces the cooperation with a new partner - the Association of Lithuanian Children’s Day Care Centers, which brings together young people from socially vulnerable families.

As in previous years, the participants of the project gather for live meetings in Zalgirio Arena’s practice area. The sessions focus on developing different life skills - leadership, teamwork, responsibility, stress management, etc.

One of the key factors for the success of a One Team project is its continuity. One Team works for 8-12 weeks with each group, with each meeting developing different skills in the young people. This helps them to integrate more easily into society and allows them to apply different skills to their daily lives.

“We can already see changes in the young people's behavior after the first session. When we first meet, many of them are withdrawn, shy because they don't know each other. But each time the participants reveal themselves more and more, they show their strengths and are no longer afraid to make mistakes”, says project coordinator Andra Kniukstaite.

This season’s group is not only eager to take part in the activities, but they are also particularly fond of playing basketball, so the opportunity to train in the same space as the Zalgiris players gives them even more motivation and inspiration.

At each meeting, the participants are treated to a special programme prepared by Zalgiris staff and reinforced with advice from the Euroleague Basketball. Discussions, engaging games, new challenges, peer support - these are just some of the things that are given time and attention during the sessions.

One of the things the young people look forward to most is a visit from the Zalgiris players. Arnas Butkevicius and Tyler Cavanaugh are the ambassadors of this season's project, visiting one of the meetings, interacting with the participants, answering questions and competing on the basketball court together. 

The ambassadors were not the only guests who came to the sessions. In order to give the young people the opportunity to gain as many different experiences as possible, they were visited by Zalgiris Kaunas football players, Zalgiris youth team coach Tautvydas Slezas and Zalgiris-2 players, and sports psychologist Aiste Zemaityte.

An important part of the project is its partner Ramirent Lietuva, which has been sponsoring it for the fifth year. The company’s employees are involved in the sessions themselves and also spread the word about the project by wearing hundreds of One Team T-shirts every day.

Other partners are also joining the project. This season, Samsonas is contributing to the events organized by the Lithuanian Association of Children’s Day Care Centers with its products.

These and other partners will have the opportunity to join the activities during one of the last meetings.

Zalgiris has been running the One Team project in Lithuania since 2013 and has received multiple awards for it.