In a joint project, the Dallas Mavericks, the club of Slovenian basketball ace Luka Dončić, and the Municipality of Celje have renovated two basketball courts in Celje for the development of young Celje basketball players. The Dallas Mavericks fully financed the renovation of the Mavs court at the Celje Boarding School and co-financed the renovation of the Dončič court at Hudinja. This is the first project of its kind by any NBA team in Europe.

The inauguration ceremony took place on 4 October and was attended by representatives of the club and the Basketball Federation of Slovenia, which also made an important contribution to the project. In his speech, the Mayor of Celje, Bojan Šrot, expressed his excitement and pride that the famous NBA team from Dallas, when considering the renovation of one of the basketball courts in Slovenia, chose Celje for this project, which he also sees as a tribute to the rich basketball tradition of the area.

The Mavs and Dončić courts have the potential to become real tourist attractions, a development which was foreseen at the very conception. The handprint and signature of Luka Dončić is located at the very edge of the centre of the court. The largest Luka Dončić poster in Europe, measuring 14.5 x 4.5 metres, is also installed on the boarding school building next to the Mavs court. Fifteen trees, comprising common hornbeam and a Norway maple species, have also been planted at the Dončić court in Hudinja to make the area around the court even more welcoming and pleasant.

Luka Dončić's visibility has a significant impact on the promotion and reputation of Slovenia as a country of top athletes, an excellent host of large sporting events and for athletes’ preparations, and as a destination for active vacations in the American and global market.

Source: Slovenian Tourist Board