Pangos and Valinskas become new One Team Ambassadors 0

One Team – Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program organized together with Zalgiris Kaunas – reached another milestone by announcing the new ambassadors of the project. Zalgiris Kaunas players Kevin Pangos and Paulius Valinskas became the role models for One Team participants from Kaunas youth detention center.

The teenagers met the new ambassadors at Zalgirio Arena. At first, they were given the tour around Zalgiris facilities by Zalgiris athletic coach Justinas Grainys. He presented the environment and conditions, where the EuroLeague players spend most of their time, and later showed the youngsters some physical drills at Zalgirio Arena practice court.

The two-hour session reached the new heights when the project ambassadors joined the meeting and sat down for a round-table talk with One Team participants. Pangos and Valinskas told their personal stories and stressed the importance of choosing the right friends while seeking a goal in your life.

“I had some friends who were making not the best decisions in their lives. I also met some people who were trying to bring you down when you were doing well. You need to avoid them and do the things, you think are important. I have some small goals I think of every morning and I have big general goals – all that keeps the life exciting” – Pangos told to the interested listeners.

The 22-year old Valinskas revealed that he was never described as the talent of his generation, but hard work and dedication paid off when he was invited to Zalgiris main team last season.

“I was playing for my pleasure when I was a kid, but when I was 14 or 15 I decided to become a professional basketball player. I was looking up to my idol players and I realized that I want to be like them. I wasn’t good when I started playing, I was playing for B teams, there were many more talented prospects at my age, but I never stopped believing in myself, worked hard and finally reached my goal” – Valinskas told the One Team participants.

Before the session was over the Zalgiris players, club administration and One Team participants joined up for the group photo and agreed to meet again with the aim to become better persons in the due time.