Shawn Hopkins – what’s Nordic Basketball

Talking Nordic Basketball with Shawn Hopkins

OH! And before anyone asks why this is first in English – it is because I think the subject of ‘Nordic Basketball’ is one that is broader than just having it in Finnish or Swedish or Norwegian..

At least I hope this subject interests a wider audience.. and my goal is to in my small way try to bring more attention to the game here in the North.

I might translate the article (yes, with the help of AI – until I get paid to keep this Blog!) into Finnish and Swedish.. if it looks like there is interest in that.

NH : What word would you use to describe Nordic Basketball?

SH : Aggressive and Physical .. not maybe the tallest players, but definitely the strongest players I’ve played with or against, are the ones I played against in Iceland.

NH : What challenges does the sport face here in the Nordics?? What would you do if you had a magic wand to improve the game here in the North?

SH : OK.. I don’t need a magic wand for this… I believe in brand and stories, one big challenge in Nordics for the sport to grow.. it’s the brand identity. The events that promote the game… NO ONE cares about the basketball.. no one cares about the sport.. what matters is the stories.. how they got to basketball.. what is their ‘WHY’.

I think – I can reveal to you right now that the brands in bringing out the stories is poor. It is up to us the players and larger organisations to bring the stories out and bring them out to the masses.. so I do not need the magic wand.. I just need a mic!

There’s few bits from the LONG 15 minute chat with Shawn… if this issue/subject interests you.. maybe click the video and listen Shawn speak about how we ALL can help to grow the game here in the North