The Mavericks’ global footprint continues to grow, this time to Spain, where the franchise will remain visible long after playing Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Mavericks’ players, VIPs and Madrid city leaders convened to unveil two shiny new basketball courts on Monday at Parque Rodriguez Sahagun in the Tetuan district of Madrid.
Surrounded by several residential areas and schools, the courts branded with Maverick logos and colors are the second such project in Europe by an NBA team, following the Mavericks’ donation of two courts in Slovenia last year.
That court dedication was in Maverick superstar Luka Dončić’s native country. And Monday’s was close to his heart, too. Real Madrid was the first professional team that Luka played for and he led them to the European championship in 2018 at the tender age of 19.
Mavericks’ CEO Cynt Marshall, players O-Max Prosper and Dereck Lively II and Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida all spoke at the court dedication that was attended by about 100 youths.
In addition, Xbox was on site to offer exclusive gear, tokens for 12 months of Xbox games and game codes.
“We are so thankful to have such strong support for this project: local governments, Mavs’ GM Nico Harrison, current and former players,” Marshall said. “At the Dallas Mavericks, we believe in giving back. What we’re doing today is an act of giving back to our community and investing in the physical, mental and emotional health and well-being of our children.
“With this donation, we’re also investing in their dreams. We hope to leave a lasting impact on the city and the game of basketball. Who knows? We could have another great NBA player coming off this court.”
There were plenty of celebrities, including former Maverick Salah Mejri, who hails from Tunisia.
The court dedication began at 11:30 a.m., Madrid time, with students seated in front of the stage. During the ceremony, one lucky teen got the biggest surprise as Lively and Prosper gave away an Xbox via a random drawing.
After remarks by the dignitaries, the kids took center stage for a clinic hosted by Mavs Academy director Ben Hunt and senior manager Ronard Patton, among others who were part of the large Mavericks’ entourage that made the trip overseas for the preseason game.
Over the past 25 years, the Mavericks and Mavs Foundation have built over 50 learning and playing spaces for communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and now throughout the world.
The courts encourage a healthy lifestyle for all residents in the community. The renovations include new goals and backboards to ensure that the playground will stand the test of time.
Mayor Martinez-Almeida applauded the Mavericks for giving to a community and said the court will serve a wide range of kids and give them a safe place to play.
He then joined Marshall and other representatives for the ribbon-cutting.
Briefly: The Mavericks arrived in Madrid early Sunday after playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Abu Dhabi games on Thursday and Saturday. The Mavericks are the first team in NBA history to have three consecutive preseason games played overseas . . . Game time against Real Madrid is 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dallas time. The Mavericks will fly home and arrive on Thursday for a couple of rest days to try to get body clocks back on schedule.
Twitter: @ESefko
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