As he stood on a new, brilliant-blue basketball court outside of Mission Arlington on Tuesday, Josh Green was swept back to his homeland.
“I grew up in Australia,” he said. “and I feel like outdoor courts are always the way to go. That’s where I always ended up after school. It’s great to be a part of it.”
The Mavericks unveiled the new court in Arlington with Green holding court, quite literally, as the nets were cut and the first clinic was given on the new sports court.
It is the 32nd court dedication the Mavericks and Mavs Foundation have been a part of over the decades, including in January when they christened the new gym at Cedar Crest Community Center in Oak Cliff.
On Tuesday, Green and Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex executive director Tillie Burgin brought the new court to life. And it was appropriate that it was a sun-splashed day, perfect for the kids to break in the new facility.
“That’s the best thing about basketball,” Green said. “You can play it anywhere. That’s the biggest thing. Me, as a child, I played everywhere. I grew up in a school and the courts were outdoor. I spent a lot of hours out on the court.
“No matter where the court is, it’s basketball. It gets you away from everything going on in life. So it’s super cool to see how happy these kids are and what basketball can do for kids.”
The Mavericks combined forces with Chime, SCHEELS and Sprite to produce and install the court. The Mavs’ Foundation was represented by executive director Hannah Turner and the Mavericks’ Street Team and ManiACCs were on hand to keep everybody entertained.
The project includes new basketball goals and backboards, concrete repair and the new SportCourt surface with exclusive Mavericks’ mural.
The Mavericks also supplied a fresh coat of paint for the community center. A week before the dedication, Restoration XP and Mavs’ volunteers participated in a beautification project around the court and community center.
This court will serve East Arlington and surrounding areas, providing a safe place for students of all ages to learn and play.
“I think it’s awesome,” Green said. “What Mission Arlington has done for the Dallas community is awesome. The Mavs Foundation recognizes them and came up with a super-cool bright court for these kids to play on.”
Green is one of numerous Mavericks who recognize the value fo giving back to the community. Tim Hardaway Jr. and former Maverick Grant Williams attended January’s dedication in Oak Cliff. The Mavericks also have legendary former players like Rolando Blackman and Devin Harris who are frequent contributors to community initiatives.
Mission Arlington was created in 1986 by Burgin’s family and Mission Metroplex became reality four years later.
The faith-based mission has a vision to help people of the community in any way possible with the belief that every life is important to God, and therefore, important to Mission Metroplex.
Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd said projects like renovating the court at Mission Arlington have been happening for a long, long time. And kids most definitely notice.
“Grass Valley in Oakland,” he said about where he learned to play the game in his home town. “Growing up, that was the playground outside that we played at. They had the dunk courts. As we got older, to be able to dunk and be creative because they were only 7 feet. And then there was set of regular-sized goals. You played until it was night, until you couldn’t see the hoop or the ball.
“The courts were in good shape for a public school. Sometimes, there were cracks, so you knew where not to dribble. But also, you loved when they did redo the courts because it was smooth and it was like being in the NBA. You always felt like that was like being in the NBA.”
And, for Green, being there to christen a new court is therapeutic for him.
“Honestly, it’s always good to get away,” he said. “It’s a hectic season. We flew in this morning at 2 a.m. (after winning in Chicago). It’s fun to get away and do something different and be able to see smiles and see kids.
“It makes me realize where I started from and how happy I’d be if an NBA player came out to see me as a kid. It’s not only great for them, but it’s great for me. It keeps me motivated and potentially be able to do something like this where I grew up.”
Next stop, Australia perhaps, for a new Mavericks court.
X: @ESefko
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