Mavs Foundation raises $2 million during ninth annual Mavs Ball

Over $2 million was raised for the Mavs Foundation this past Friday during its popular ninth annual Mavs Ball, presented by ShiftKey.

A glitzy affair at the Hilton Anatole, the funds raised will help support the needs of children, women and families in North Texas.

All of the Mavs players were on hand for the festivities, as well as coach Jason Kidd, general manager Nico Harrison, minority owner Mark Cuban, chief executive officer Cynt Marshall, and a few former Mavs legends. Also, Sivan Dumont, part of the Adelson/Dumont ownership group, was in attendance for her first Mavs Ball.

“I think it’s great to see the guys in a different uniform – to be able to see them in their suits and in their swag,” Kidd said. “But I think when you think about what the Mavs have done in the community – just to be able to raise money and to be able to give back — I think when you talk about the Mavs, they’re first class.

“To be able to have the sponsorships (Friday), to be able to mingle with the players (is great). When you talk about just not (Kyrie Irving) and Luka (Dončić), but they get to see everyone else. So, this is a great time for families to come together.”

Emerald City Band provided the live music for the fundraiser, while The Mentalist Oz Pearlman entertained the VIPs, Mavs fans and others on hand with various mind-boggling tricks, including surprisingly revealing one fan’s pin number on her bank card. He also shockingly told of the serial number of a $100 bill that belonged to Mavs forward Markieff Morris.

“It’s a great night,” Morris said. “Have some laughs and enjoy the community and just having a great night.”

Pearlman even had Mavs forward Maxi Kleber on stage and asked him what drink he was thinking about drinking. When Kleber said chocolate milk — likely thinking he would stump Pearlman — Pearlman opened up a can of soda, and out came some chocolate milk.

Indeed, it was a good time had by all.

“I think the fans show their love to the team, and the team shows it back,” Kleber said. “Over the years that I’ve been here, they’ve showed how much they care about society and about getting involved and giving back.”

Giving back to the community was the theme of the night. The Mavs are constantly reaching out and touching numerous communities in the DFW area in a very positive way, and Friday night’s extravaganza served as the franchise’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“It’s super important just to keep the community in mind,” Mavs rookie forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper said. “You want to raise as much money to help the community and help as many people as you can.

“You don’t just play basketball to play basketball. You play this game to help others.”

Irving said “it was a little overwhelming initially” last year when he attended his first Mavs Ball because he wasn’t used to it.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Irving said. “But I’m happy to be here for my second year with my wife coming with me.

“Last year I was with my daughter (Azurie). So that’s what it’s about, just bringing the family together and having a great time, and then meeting some good people and having some good conversation over dinner.”

Center Dwight Powell is the only Mavs player who has attended all nine Mavs Ball, so he speaks from experience when detailing the inner workings of what this event is all about.

“It’s to raise awareness as well as celebrate the work that’s already been done,” Powell said. “The Mavs Foundation is a huge part of the community, and we understand how important the community is to us.

“So, any chance we can give back to this foundation and support the causes that they support is really rewarding.”

Powell noted that the Mavs Ball has gotten exponentially better every year.

“What’s exciting is seeing a lot of the same faces from the community coming out and supporting, and some of the great season-ticket holders that I’ve known since my rookie year,” he said. “Seeing them year after year, the excitement only growing in them not only with what we’ve done as a team, but the work with the Mavs Foundation here in the community is good.”

Mavs forward Derrick Jones Jr. said what the Mavs Foundation accomplished with the Mavs Ball hit very close to home with him.

“It’s always great being able to give back to the community, just being able to help the less fortunate,” he said. “At one point I was one of those kids when I was younger, and I would have loved to have an NBA organization to help out and be there for the youth.

“But I wasn’t fortunate enough to have that. But it’s great to be able to give back to all those kids.”

Several items were auctioned Friday, including learning how to become a coach or general manager for a day, or indulging in the ultimate dining experience with Chef Lex Grant — the Mavs’ team chef. In addition, Irving and Cuban each won a $77,000 bid for a five-day trip to Slovenia – where Dončić resides – which includes practices and a game with the entire Slovenian national team.

Dončić returned the favor by matching another bidder’s $33,000 for a personal skills camp with Irving. Also, the auctioneer talked Irving into duplicating the stunning 21-foot left-handed, buzzer-beating hook shot he converted which defeated the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets, 107-105, on March 17.

“Mark and the Mavericks have always been a staple in the Dallas/Fort Worth communities as far as what they do with their foundation,” said Josh Howard, who played for the Mavs from 2003-10. “I looked at them through my foundation what they do, so I try to take pointers from them.

“But it’s just great to see the Dallas Mavericks continue to do what they do in the community.”

Former Mavs forward Shawn Marion agreed with Howard.

“It doesn’t get any better,” said Marion, who helped the Mavs win the 2011 NBA title. “This is a great night when we come together to raise funds for the kids.

“We’re all on the same page. We’re just here to have a good time, raise money, have a few drinks, kick back and enjoy the night.”

That’s what rookie center Dereck Lively II did. He enjoyed the night and added: “I always hear how involved (the Mavs) are with the community. I always hear good feedback.”

Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. summed the night up by saying: “Another year. Another Mavs Ball. Another Mavs Foundation event. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I happen to be around wonderful people here for a great cause.

“You come here (and) you have a great time. Everyone’s here for a great cause. It’s a blessing.”

Powell echoed that sentiment, saying: “I’ve said time and time again, our ability to go out and make someone’s day or help build something that’s going to last in the community is huge. I think it’s the best part of my job. That’s the biggest blessing.”

The star-studded event included a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and a blue carpet arrival. Mavs Ball also brought together Mavs fans, VIPs and partners to celebrate the 2023-24 grantees and the charitable work of the Dallas Mavericks this season.

Putting a bow on Friday night, Marshall expressed her excitement about the Mavs Ball and the funds that it’ll generate to help so many people in need.

“What we are here for is to raise money for the Mavs Foundation, and we do a tremendous amount for the Mavs Foundation,” Marshall said. “Tonight is our biggest fundraiser.”

X: @DwainPrice