MIES (Switzerland) - With every drive, every shout, every crash to the rim, Dennis Donkor plays with a fire that asks for nothing in return. The Belgian star has built a reputation in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour not just for his fearless style, but for his refusal to let fatigue, failure, or distance dull his desire.
From Antwerp’s 2023 triumph in WT Lausanne to Riffa’s victorious run in WT Shanghai 2024, Donkor has become one of the most respected competitors in the 3x3 circuit. After WT Deqing 2025, he stands as Belgium’s No. 2 player and No. 24 worldwide, embodying the heart of the grind that defines the sport.
The Weight of Close Calls
When asked about his toughest loss this season, Donkor doesn’t name a single game. Instead, he remembers a string of near misses that wore on him collectively.
"It wasn’t one defeat," he says. "The combination of a lot of close losses hit the hardest."
Those heartbreakers, he admits, tested his patience and resolve. Yet for Donkor, dwelling on losses has never been an option.
Turning the Page, No Matter the Outcome
Donkor lives by a simple mantra.
Win or lose, the work never stops.
"If you lose, wake up the next day and go to work," he says. "If you win, do the same."
It’s this disciplined mindset that separates good players from great ones in the ever-demanding 3x3 pro circuit, where tournaments come fast and the turnaround time is short.
"Freedom of outcome is something I practice actively," he explains. "You can’t let every result consume you. Just turn the page."
Long Roads and Constant Change
While 3x3 life looks glamorous from afar, Donkor admits the grind can be challenging. This season, roster changes left him surrounded by new faces and even moments of uncertainty.
"When I looked around and only saw Vic (Vic Van Oosterwyck) as a familiar face, it shook me," he recalls. "We’ve had a lot of roster changes, and it hasn’t always been easy."
Still, the love of the game kept him anchored.
"Trying to still improve while it seems as if everything is getting hard drives me," he says with a wry smile.
The Hidden Cost
Behind every game lies a personal sacrifice. For Donkor, it’s missing precious time with his children.
"I feel like I sacrifice every time I step on the plane," he says. "My kids are growing so fast, and I miss big parts of them growing up."
Add to that the relentless travel and jetlag, and the toll of professional 3x3 becomes clearer.
"Towards the end of the season, it can really start to weigh you down," he admits.
Habit Beyond Motivation
Donkor’s mental strength doesn’t come from fleeting motivation. It’s built from discipline.
"I think motivation is overrated," he says plainly. "If you have to wait for motivation every time you have to do work, you won’t be very good. I turn my brain off every morning and just do the work."
That no-excuses attitude has kept him and Riffa competitive through the toughest stretches of the season.
Brotherhood Over Trophies
For Donkor, success isn’t just measured in titles. It's in the relationships forged through the grind.
"The relationship I have with Vic and Jonas, no amount of World Tour wins could replace that," he says.
It’s a testament to how 3x3, even at its fiercest and highest level, remains a sport built on brotherhood.
Even with his approach, however, Donkor doesn’t see himself as a vocal leader. Instead, he leads through effort.
"I try to lead by example," he says. "If my work and play lead to good things for Team Riffa and the 3x3 scene, then I’ve done my job."
It’s that steady, mindset that has made him a model of professionalism in a sport defined by unpredictability and intensity.
Lessons Beyond the Game
Not surprisingly, Donkor sees parallels between 3x3 and life itself.
"You can’t look too far ahead," he reflects. "Every week there’s a new tournament. You learn to turn the page quickly. That’s a skill everyone can use."
And while one might assume he prefers short-term goals, Donkor's long-term ambition is unmistakable and unshakable.
"One day, I’d like to be regarded as one of the greats" he declares. "It’s a challenge I’m willing to accept."
The Grind Never Lies
At first glance, Dennis Donkor’s 3x3 journey might look like just a highlight reel of dunks, celebrations, and victories.
A deeper look, though, reveals that behind every win lies unseen effort—the flights, the fatigue, the quiet mornings when he "just does the work."
Because for Donkor, greatness isn’t defined by isolated moments.
It’s a mindset built and strengthened through endurance.
In 3x3, few embody that truth better than the Riffa's relentless leader.
FIBA