Members of the West Ham United squad discuss their main hobbies away from the football pitch, explaining what sparked their interest and advising how fellow Hammers can get involved. Polish goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański shares his love for the game of basketball...
How did you get into it?
“I played basketball in primary school, and when Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were winning NBA championships with Chicago Bulls my interest grew in the sport. I started to follow basketball and wanted to be one of them. Playing basketball from an early age with my brothers (Bartek and Arek) has definitely helped me in certain aspects of my football career. For a basketball player footwork is very important and also your handling, while the physical training you have to do in basketball is very similar to that of a footballer. I've played since then, and I've followed the NBA closely. When I get the chance to shoot some hoops I do it!”
What do you like about it?
“It’s just fun, and the sound of shooting the ball towards the hoop is fun as well. It’s a great sport.”
How much time do you spend on it outside of football?
“Not a lot. During the season, I don’t play much. In the off-season, it depends if I have a basket available or something similar around me, then I will go and play, but during the season, it is tricky as I don’t have much time.”
How good are you at it?
“I’m going to say I’m pretty good!”
Do you do it on your own or with others?
“You can play it on your own or you can play it with others. I think it’s just a really good sport, and it’s very simple to play. It gives me a lot of fun, that’s for sure!”
Do you know anyone involved in it?
“He’s already retired, but I know Marcin Gortat from Poland, who played in the NBA for many years. I know him personally, and he invited me a few times to the charity basketball game he holds in Poland, so I’ve been able to go twice.”
Have you ever been to any big events associated with it?
“I’ve been to the NBA in London, but have never been to the United States to watch a game. It was the off-season when we went to Florida in the summer, but it’s something I would love to do one day.”
How much would you recommend it to people who aren’t familiar with it?
“I would really recommend it because it is such an easy sport, is a very fun sport, and if you get two or three of your friends, then you can come up with fun games to play.”
Can you share some tips about how someone could get involved in it?
“All you need is a basketball and a hoop. From there, you can just practice from all different areas of the court. It will bring you a lot of fun once you start getting it right. The more you practice, the easier it will get!”
