The efforts of clubs across Europe to support their local communities was recognized with the annual One Team Awards, which was held this year as a remote event on Tuesday. One Team is Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program, using the power of basketball to teach valuable life lessons and give important opportunities to disadvantaged people at risk of social exclusion.

The annual awards ceremony is designed to celebrate the successes of the program, which was carried out last season by all 42 teams in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup. For the second consecutive year, the winner of the Gold Award was Anadolu Efes Istanbul, which worked with a group of special athletes to assist their personal development and integration into the community.

Tuesday’s other award winners were Olympiacos Piraeus (Silver), AX Armani Exchange Milan (Bronze) and Joventut Badalona, which was recognized as an outstanding newcomer to the program by receiving a one-off Special Judge’s Award, added just for this year due to the exceptional situation.

Olympiacos ran two One Team programs last season, helping children with disabilities and another group in closed child-protection institutions.

Milan also carried out two separate programs, one working with children from challenging social backgrounds and a second helping young people with autism. Milan’s One Team Coach Marilisa Zanini said: “Throughout the season we tried to give the kids great memories and great moments. The kids worked hard, they learned how to work with their teammates and how to give more trust to the people who were helping them. They really appreciated the help of the ambassadors, who gave them great advice and dreams to follow.”

Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO, said: “Now more than ever before, it is vital that our players, coaches and clubs stay connected with our local communities, and this is something we are able to achieve through the fantastic One Team program. I would like to congratulate not only today’s award winners, but all 42 clubs in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup who have worked so hard to bring people together through the power of basketball.”

It was also announced on Tuesday, after an inspirational talk from Milan star Gigi Datome on his experiences as a One Team Ambassador, that next season’s instalment will feature a brand-new award: the One Team Ambassador Award, which will be introduced to recognize the great work carried out by players and coaches in support of the One Team program.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.