Basketball Brings the Buecker Family Closer Together
By: Dylan Tehada
The power of basketball is priceless. The sport’s impact is felt in all facets of life whether it be teaching athletes skills on and off the court or bringing families closer together through both watching and playing the game. The latter is especially true for the Buecker family and their athletes: Ferdi, Lorenz, Konsti, and Theo. As long-time members of the UPB community, the Buecker family’s love and passion for the game has grown as their athlete’s basketball journeys are just beginning.
After moving from Germany to the Bay Area 15 years ago, Vanessa and Christian Buecker knew little about the game of basketball, but their oldest son Ferdi, 11, developed a strong love for the game at an early age. Ferdi’s passion for the game has passed down to his younger brothers Lorenz, Konsti, and Theo as they all train at UPB. Ferdi, Lorenz, 9, and Konsti, 7, all participate in the Train and Plays and Theo, 4, plays in the weekly Little Hoopers training sessions.
“I really like [the] "Train and Play" sessions because I can apply what I have learned during my skill sessions and private training. I really like the mentorship with Coach Packie. He is always positive and encouraging and has taught me to stay positive,” Ferdi said.
There are so many facets to master in the game of basketball from the physical tools to the mental skills. In all training sessions athletes at UPB train both their physical skill set and practice techniques to have a strong mindset. There are so many lessons the game can teach, and the athletes in the Buecker family experience that first hand when training at the facility.
When asked the biggest lesson they have learned at UPB, Ferdi said “Trust the process, put the work in, results will follow,” Konsti said “Don’t walk, you have to dribble and do jump stops and box out on rebounds,” and Theo said “I have learned how to play defense “hands up”! And to have a good form. Follow through is super important.”
Basketball has made a huge impact on these athletes and their family both on and off the court. The game has given them a sport to master and has brought these brothers and their family closer together. Basketball has brought a great deal of joy to the Buecker family and Lorenz understands firsthand that hoops is more than just a game.
“I like basketball because it is just so much fun to play. For me, Basketball is more than a game. My two favorite things in life are playing basketball and going to places where I can do fun things with my family. Of course I want to play in the NBA - but more importantly I just want to get better and have fun playing the game,” Lorenz said.
These athletes have all the support in the world to pursue their dreams and accomplish their basketball dreams. Their parents have played an integral role in instilling love for the game and supporting them every step of the way in the early stages of their careers.
“None of us had any kind of relationship to basketball. But now it’s become a family activity. A combination of team sports where the kids train together and they are excited to kind of teach each other different tricks and push each other,” Christian Buecker said.
