Leaders of Unites #135 - Jesse Koot

8 July, 2026

"During the 3X3 Leader Course I learned how to speak in front of a group ."

I took my basketball everywhere. Even on holiday.

My name is Jesse Koot and I am 17 years old. I grew up in Halfweg and I still live there. I have an older sister. The funny thing is: just like my parents, she is not really into sports, while I have been a huge sports fan since I was young. I really tried everything: judo, gymnastics and rugby before I finally chose basketball. That is the best decision I have ever made.

I liked judo, but I noticed that a team sport suited me better. Rugby for example, but during that period I had to choose between rugby and basketball. The choice was made quickly. We have always had a basketball hoop in our garden. I spent a lot of time there, just dribbling and shooting. I really loved it. I also took my basketball everywhere with me. Even on holiday.

The hoop is actually still in our garden. I can easily entertain myself for two hours with a ball. I do not only enjoy basketball, it is also an outlet for me. A way to clear my head. Especially when I have a lot on my mind or have had a busy day, basketball helps me completely relax mentally.

I made a lot of friends at Hot Pepper Heat

I joined Hot Pepper Heat in Zwanenburg when I was eight years old. I took part in a trial lesson and immediately knew: this is what I want. During the practice, the coach spun a basketball on his finger. I thought that was really cool and I have never forgotten it. I made many friends at Hot Pepper Heat. We did not only play at the club, but from the beginning we also played basketball on outdoor courts and in parks.

At Hot Pepper Heat I often played with older teams. This season I played with friends in the Under-18 third team. After the summer we will become Men’s Team 3. We are not a performance-focused team; we mainly play for fun. Besides that, I am now also a coach of the Under-16 team. A friend said to me: ‘You are a good shooter. Would you like to give a shooting practice sometime?’ Well, that sounded good to me.

Actually, I really enjoy helping someone improve. Just like other people helped me improve myself. I notice that it gives me a lot of satisfaction. It is great to see the young players you coach standing on the court with more confidence.

During the 3X3 Leader Course I learned how to speak in front of a group

If I get the chance to play basketball somewhere, I always do it. So when a friend asked me if I wanted to join a 3x3 tournament in Haarlem, I did not have to think about it. That was my first introduction to 3X3 Unites. After that, we joined several activations.

At some point, Thijs Michielsen came up to me. He asked if I wanted to join the 3X3 Leader Course. I hesitated at first, but I am very happy that I did it. I met a lot of great people there, learned how to take initiative and how to stand in front of a group. Before, I would always turn red when I had to speak in front of people. Now it comes much easier to me.

Together with Thijs, I took the initiative to start a 3x3 community in Badhoevedorp. We looked for a location and invited young people to join. The first pick-up session had seventeen participants, which was a great number for the first time. Now we try to organise an activation every Sunday. I think it is great that I can play a role in that.

My keychain has a special meaning for me

My keychain has a special meaning for me. It does not only hold keys, but also three objects that mean a lot to me: an angel from my mother, a lucky charm from my father and half of an iron heart from my sister. I always carry my keys with me, so it also feels like my family is always close by.

I like that, especially now that my sister has moved out. I have a very good relationship with her. She has always been there for me and if something is wrong, I can always go to her. She has the other half of the iron heart. I have had these objects on my keychain for several years and they will not come off any time soon.

I want to set up a 3X3 Leader Course in Badhoevedorp and help build a 3x3 community in Zwanenburg

At the moment I am busy with my HAVO final exams, but that will be fine. After the summer I will take a gap year and go to Zell am See in Austria for a few months to teach skiing. I used to take ski lessons there myself and I think it is really nice to return there now.

Actually, I wanted to do it earlier. But I found it difficult to stand in front of a group. Since the 3X3 Leader Course, I no longer struggle with that. I will also continue coaching at my club, I want to set up a 3X3 Leader Course in Badhoevedorp and help build a 3x3 community in Zwanenburg.