Leaders of Unites #138 - Damianos Giannis

18 August, 2026

"Because of the 3X3 Leader Course, I realise even more that someone within a group has to take the lead ."

Because of my parents' work, we regularly moved from Greece to Belgium and back again

My name is Damianos Giannis and I am 22 years old. I originally come from Greece, but I was born in Belgium. Because of the work of my parents, who both worked for the Parliament, the Ministry and EU agencies, we regularly moved back and forth between those two countries.

Because of this, we as a family have never allowed national borders to hold us back. We believe in the unity of Europe, in sharing the same values and rights, and in living in freedom and peace. I have two older sisters and a brother who have lived and studied in different countries. That laid the foundation for a multicultural lifestyle.

Five years ago, I moved to the Netherlands for my studies. I study the Built Environment at Eindhoven University of Technology. I find the programme incredibly interesting because of its creativity and its importance in everyday life. Eindhoven is a relatively small city compared to Brussels and Athens, but I really enjoy living here.

It is an internationally oriented city, which really appeals to me. I enjoy meeting people from different countries and cultures.

I was sixteen when I organised my first basketball tournament

As a child, I first played basketball in Greece together with my father and brother. We played on a court by the sea, close to our home. In addition, my brother and I often played NBA Live 08, a video game in which we spent hours in the shoes of the best players in the world.

In Belgium, I started playing organised basketball through friends at school. I think I was about fourteen years old when I played my first official game and about sixteen when I organised my own basketball tournament at school, with the help and guidance of my PE teacher.

I had absolutely no experience with it, but I really wanted to give it a try. I attended an international school, which made it even more enjoyable. Children from different countries had to form teams together. As a result, they quickly got to know each other and created a wonderful mix of all kinds of cultures. The tournament became a success, I can say that with confidence.

Nowadays, I am a member of Tantalus, the student basketball association in Eindhoven. The level is not extremely high, but that is not what matters most. It does not matter whether you have never played basketball before or have been playing for years, whether you are young or old, or whether you are a girl or a boy. Everyone is welcome. It is mainly about creating a community, having fun together and building social connections.

Because of the 3X3 Leader Course, I realise even more that someone within a group has to take the lead

Four years ago, I first heard about 3X3 Unites through a friend from my basketball club. She told me about the 3X3 Leader Course and we decided to sign up together, although I did not really know what to expect. I knew one thing: I love basketball and I enjoy meeting new people. In addition, Lieke Vermeulen, the coordinator in Eindhoven, was very persistent. She kept sending us messages to make sure we would keep our word and actually participate.

I still clearly remember Jacobo Bertotti and Melissa 't Jong from 3X3 Unites visiting us and talking to us about valuable life lessons, how to organise an event and how to build a community. That was very educational and a great introduction to the organisation. I also learned a lot about taking ownership. I still use those lessons during all the activations and events I organise for 3X3 Unites, and beyond.

Now I realise even more how important it is for someone within a group to take the lead. If everyone keeps waiting for someone else, eventually nothing happens. I am often the person who takes the initiative because I want things to actually happen. That also means making sure everyone is on the same page, that tasks are divided so everyone feels responsible, and making sure you are not dependent on third parties.

To me, 3x3 basketball stands for freedom, independence, building new communities and having fun together

The FIBA 3x3 World Tour basketball with the 3X3 Unites logo on it is more than just a basketball to me. The ball symbolises the urban character of 3x3 basketball, which is what makes the sport so beautiful. From the courts in neighbourhoods where you can meet new people to the accessibility of the sport. You do not need a referee and you do not have to pay or be a member of a federation to take part.

To me, 3x3 basketball represents freedom, independence, building new communities and having fun together. The ball is a symbol of that.

For me, the Rabo 3x3 Street League is always one of the highlights of the year

In June, together with many other 3X3 Leaders, I organised the Rabo 3x3 Street League in Eindhoven for the fourth year in a row. In addition, I manage the social media channels of our community in Eindhoven. In the coming years, I hope we can organise even more summer tournaments. Preferably spread across the entire city, with extra attention for target groups that are more difficult to reach, such as girls and young people under the age of eighteen.

For me, the Rabo 3x3 Street League is always one of the highlights of the year. I enjoy seeing so many happy people having fun together through basketball and making new connections. They often bring family or friends as well, which creates a great atmosphere at an event that is free of charge and takes place in a public space.

That fits perfectly with what I would like to do in the future. If it were up to me, I would focus on creating accessible and sustainable multifunctional public spaces where people can meet each other and where all kinds of things happen. Places where personal freedom creates room for creativity.