Stefan dreams big: SOS Children's Village Sarajevo

Eleven-year-old Stefan is a calm, obedient and hardworking boy with a killer jump-shot and a magic wrist. This dark-haired promising basketball player dreams of one day shooting ball like some of the greats such as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Unlike his idols though, Stefan, who lives at SOS Children's Village Sarajevo in Bosnia, is determined to pursue an additional goal as well.

Stefan first came in contact with basketball when he arrived at SOS Children's Village Sarajevo a few years ago. He quickly bonded with his older SOS brother Tarik and the two became almost inseparable. It was this brotherly influence that put Stefan between the basket rings rather than the goalposts which he used to love. Both boys play basketball at a local junior club and enjoy the training sessions. "We go to training sessions four times a week," explains Stefan. At the beginning it seemed a lot, but now I'd like to train every day." He and Tarik make up for this at the village playground, where they use every opportunity to practice jump-shots and free throws. "I can't wait to learn how to dunk," admits Stefan with a sigh.

Like a true sportsman, Stefan's favourite pastimes are also related to sport. He and Tarik share a passion for toy cars. The boys maintain a small but impeccable toy car fleet in their room which they like to look at and work on rather than drive around. The newest and favourite car is a blue and yellow Formula One toy. They got the unit with a damaged front wing which they plan to repair themselves.Stefan likes to play computer games with his other older SOS brother, Vedran, who is always up-to-date on the latest releases and meticulously keeps track of all the hidden doorways, tricks and manoeuvres in their favourite games. Stefan values his brother's keenness as SOS mother Mediha makes sure everyone spends limited time on the family computer.

This year, Stefan finished fourth grade with excellent results. "I really like going to school and learning new things as part of the various subjects. My homework takes just few minutes of my time and since I pay attention in class I don't study much at home," says our player. His SOS mother confirms what seems unbelievable. "With greater or lesser success, all my SOS children do well at school, but Stefan is exceptional because he actually enjoys it," says Mediha. The subject in which Stefan gets the best marks is mathematics. "Maybe because I like counting triple-doubles," he says, laughing and adds: "especially those of the King." Stefan's favourite basketball player and idol is LeBron "King" James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Stefan is totally captured by the game of the famed NBA forward and admits that: "one day I want to at least shoot some balls with the King."

Stefan admits that his dream is to play for the NBA. "It is where the best basketball is played," he says. "I like European basketball as well, but the NBA is so much more interesting. It's exciting from beginning to end. If I play there one day, I will be the happiest person in the world. The NBA is my dream." Another dream of Stefan's is to hold a university degree. He's determined: "I will get a university diploma" Upon hearing that professional basketball is very demanding and many players, his idol included, have to skip college, Stefan speaks of his plan: "I will study something I'm very good at, like maths, so I can have time both for school and basketball. Mum says if I keep up like this, I can do it and my mum is always right," concludes our very own future "King" Stefan.