Note from the editor: Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić shares his vision as he inaugurates his foundation dedicated to promoting basketball.

As a child, there were always two places you could find me.

More often than not, I was either on the basketball court behind my apartment in Ljubljana or working as a ballboy in the arena.

But honestly, being a ballboy wasn’t a job for me; it was a way to immerse myself in the sport I adore. I’d slip onto the court whenever I could, eager to shoot some hoops. All I wanted was to play.

To me, basketball has always held a deeper meaning than just a game.

Playing basketball, whether indoors or outdoors, in any part of the world, is my source of happiness. In English, this feeling could be described as my “sanctuary” or “escape.” I prefer to call it my “peace place.”

Now that I’m a father, I often reflect on my daughter and other young people worldwide. Do they have the same chances to play basketball – to experience joy – that I had?

I fear they might not.

This concern is what drives me to launch the Luka Dončić Foundation. We are dedicated to fostering a positive youth sports culture globally. Our mission is to introduce new initiatives, support coaches and players, educate parents, construct courts, and implement innovative ideas to make basketball enjoyable and accessible to everyone.

For our inaugural major project, we are unveiling the groundbreaking “Inside Youth Basketball” report this Saturday, coinciding with World Basketball Day. I encourage you to read this report, which consulted various experts (players, coaches, and parents) to pinpoint both the strengths and weaknesses in youth basketball in the U.S. and Europe where I grew up.

The findings reveal that the pressure on kids to be perfect – treating games as jobs or mere highlight reel opportunities – has resulted in unprecedented drop-out rates: By age 13, 70% of kids are abandoning youth sports. This pressure strips away the joys I cherish about basketball. Youngsters who quit miss out on friendships, teamwork, growth, healthy competition, and most importantly, fun. They miss the joy.

This situation needs to be addressed. That’s why we created the “Total Hoops Approach,” aimed at redirecting basketball’s focus towards a sport that can be enjoyed by all. This involves encouraging coaches and parents to establish more enriching and positive programs for youngsters, all under the supervision of a Youth Sports Leadership Council comprised of many of my esteemed mentors, heroes, and contemporaries. We are thrilled and grateful that Dirk Nowitzki, Stephen Curry, Sabrina Ionescu, Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Pau Gasol, Igor Kokoškov, and Bill Duffy have joined this council to assist with our initiatives.

They all share my vision: Now is the time to unite and enhance basketball for the future generation.

Basketball has already contributed immensely to my life beyond what I ever dreamed. It sparked grand dreams for me in Slovenia, took me to Spain as a teenager, and welcomed me to the U.S. before I turned 20.

Yet, none of that compares to the pure joy basketball has given me since I first started. Playing for the Mavericks, I still feel that same exhilaration I had when I was a 5-year-old. On the court, immersed in the game, it feels as if the ball is grinning back at me.

I yearn for as many young people as possible to experience that joyous connection with the ball. I want every child to feel that happiness – regardless of the sport they play: Just step onto that court or field and know they can have fun, express themselves, and simply play.

This is my appeal to the global basketball community: Let’s unite, share our insights, explore fresh ideas, and preserve the unique aspects that make basketball and all sports truly special.

Together, let’s elevate basketball to new heights.