Worthy de Jong is Unsure if he will defend the Olympic Title in 3×3 basketball in 2028. What is Certain is that after his golden shot in Paris, the 37-year-old Dutchman hasals that goyond winning on the basketball court.
De Jong Arriday at the Beginning of the Evening Just in Time at the Stadium of the 3×3 World Tour Amsterdam for a Speech by Rabobank Director Erik Verschel. He Puts his bag on the stand and walks onto the field for a photo opportunity with the new sponsor of his team.
De Jong Will Only Be in Action for the First Time on Saturday at the Largest 3×3 Basketball Event in the Netherlands. Yet His agenda is Already Well Filled a Day Earlier. The Amsterdammer Has Been the Figurehead of his sport since the paris games. And so he is everywhere on the ndsm wharf this weekend.
“I understand that’s part of it,” Says de Jong in an interview with nu.nl. “We are building on what we start last last year. Inspiring people. And making basketball Bigger.”
“What we achieved in Paris Has Really Unleashed a lot. If we realize what this can mean for the future of our sport, we Will have gold in our hands forever. And not just duration the games.”
World Tour
The World Tour in 3×3 Basketball is A Series of International Tournament Around the World. They are the most important matches after the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships.
This weekend the third world of this season is on the ndsm wharf in Amsterdam, in A Series of Fifteen. The Women’s Final is on Saturday Evening, While the Men Play Their Final Battle on Sunday Afternoon.
‘It Can Be Scary to Suddenly Be A Role Model’
De Jong’s Weekend Starts in The Café of Street, A Museum for Street Art and Graffiti That Is Located Next to the Temporary 3×3 Arena in Amsterdam-Noord. There he is part of a panel that talks about Role Models Together with skateboarder Keet Oldenbeuving, Telstar Football Player Samya Hassani and Freerunner Luciano Balestra.
“It can be Scary to Suddenly Become Famous and Be A Role Model,” Says de Jong on a Balcony in the Large Warehouse, which is full of meters-high works of art. “What I Try To Do is Point People In The Right Direction, Give Them Hope And Show Them That A Lot Is Possible.”
De Jong Has had those goals for as long as he has bone a professional basketball player. Because of his winning shot in Paris, the Suddenly has many more opportunities to give shape to his ambitions outside the field. “Winning Comes and Goes,” Says the Olympic Champion. “The most important thing is that we want to change people’s lives through our sport.”
“For me, 3×3 basketball has a tool to get the fun back in my sport. But also to keep myself alive. It goes much further than just throwing a ball nicely. And that is what sport can mean for everyone.”
De Jong Hopes for Success for Women in Los Angeles
After the panel and the sponsorship moment, De Jong looks for a spot on the second row of the stands for the group match of the Dutch Women Against Chile. Janis Boonstra, De Jong’s Girlfriend, Plays in the Orange Team.
The Dutch Women Were European Champions in 2023, But Failed to Qualify for the Paris Games. For De Jong, The Success of Women In The Upcoming Olympic Cycle is at Least as Important As the Performance of his own Men’s Team. “All the support that Janis Has Given Me Before and in Paris, I will also give her.”
The Veteran Laughs When Asked If He will still be there in Los Angeles. He will be forty years old at the next games. “I’m going to see how my body feels and where I am in Life. I’m Currently Busy With So Many Fun Things That I Can Imagine That At A Certain Point Something Else Take Take The Place of Basketball.”
These are worries for later. In Amsterdam, De Jong is Still the Crowd Puller This Weekend for what he does on the field. “Last year was a child of movie for me,” he says a smile. “I’m now working on part two, a sequel.”
New Team
Olympic Champions Worthy de Jong and Jan Driessen Are Playing With Two New Teammates This Season. Maarten Bouwknecht and Bryan Alberts Are The Replacements for Arvin Slagter and Dimeo van der Horst.
Slagter Quit Earlier This Year, While van der Horst Plays Basketball in the World Tour for A Second Dutch Team.