Mrs Rania's e-class: CLASS E: An interview with a basketball player

Mrs Rania’s e-class is proud to host an ex-student who is now a successful basketball player and a Medicine student! Meet Vangelis Sakellariou and learn all about him as the students of 5th grade interviewed him:

Hello Vangelis. Welcome to our e-class.

Hello everyone! It is an honour to be sharing my experience with you! Feels like home again.

We would like you to tell us a few things about you. If you could use five words only, how would you describe yourself?

Well, I see you chose the difficult questions first. However, if I could only use five words , the ones that come to my mind are ambitious , creative , hardworking , emotional and patient

How did you choose basketball?

I don't think I chose basketball. Basketball always attracted me! Since I was a little boy, I wanted to be a doctor and a basketball player!

How old were you when you started playing basketball?

I started playing basketball at the age of 8. I remember my first steps at the team of Olympiada , following many teams both in Greece and Europe .

How old were you when you joined the Lavrio team?

It's been three years since i joined Lavrio team

How do you feel when you lose a game? How do you deal with a lost game?

In sports, you have to deal both with victory and loss and learn never to give up.

Every result, either bad or good, for me is my motivation to improve myself.

Do you have support by your family when you have a difficult game?

They are very supportive of every choice i make and that's why I feel very lucky!

This is the meaning of family !

What basketball moves do you like the most?

Definitely the 3-points shot!

What is your diet?

I try to follow a balanced diet, high in proteins and carbohydrates. However, to be honest I eat a chocolate every now and then.

What is your daily schedule?

From Monday to Friday, I wake up at 7 a.m. have breakfast and head to university. My courses at Medical school start at 8 o' clock and finish at 3 p.m. Then , I return home , have lunch and leave again for basketball practise at Lavrio . If I am lucky, I manage to get back home before 9 p.m. in order to study and rest .

However, Saturdays are even harder , because it's usually a game day.

Sunday is my favourite , because i have the chance to spend time with my familly and friends!

How many hours do you practice each day?

Usually three to four hours a day.

Who is your favourite basketball player?

Very easy to say ! Drazen Petrovic

What position do you play in the game?

My position is guard.

In which team do you want to play the most?

I want to play with you when I come to Lechaio and feel like a kid again !

How do you feel about your job?

Even though I am a professional player and sometimes it is exhausting ,I always enjoy basketball as much as doing a hobby !

When did you decide that you wanted to be a doctor?

My mother says that when I was a little boy , I was out playing with my basketball and used to tell her : " When I grow up , I want to be a basketball player and a doctor and I will buy you a plane " Finally , my dream has come true , the only thing missing is the plane !

Ιs it easy to study and play basket at the same time?

Sometimes it gets very exhausting , but I can't choose the one over the other and that's my motivation to never give up .

Which was the first team you played for?

Olympiada Assos Lechaio

For how long do you think you will be playing basketball?

I won't stop playing for as long as I have the same feeling every time i get in the court for a game .

What is your advice to young children who want to become basketball players, like you?

Follow your dreams and try your best!

Thank you for your time. Good luck with your games and with your studies!

Thank you very much ! Hope to see you soon for a game !