Luka Dončić bounced to the beat of cheers and shouts as his Slovenian teammates hoisted him above their shoulders Sunday afternoon.
It was a storybook moment after Dončić helped his nation beat Lithuania, 98-85, to clinch a spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
For the first time, Dončić and Slovenia — a country with a population of just 2.1 million people — are headed to the Olympics thanks to the Dallas Mavericks sensation.
“It’s amazing,” Dončić said. “I think every kid dreams about being in the Olympics. I did too. So, here we are. We fought really, really hard, and I think we deserve to be here.”
Back in North Texas, the celebration continued Tuesday morning at Dallas County Commissioners Court after a resolution passed to make July 6, 2021, Luka Dončić Day in Dallas County.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins read a resolution that recognized Dončić’s accomplishments both on and off the basketball court. He also praised the Slovenian’s ability to unite fans from across the world and thanked him for using sport to influence communities and provide outreach for underserved communities.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Dallas County Commissioners Court does hereby congratulate and honor Luka Dončić as an ambassador to the game of basketball,” Judge Clay Jenkins said while reading the resolution. “We are thrilled and proud to have him serve as a representative to fine folks of Dallas County. Today we congratulate him on his accomplishments and look forward to more exciting years to come.”
The resolution later acknowledged his constant support for the Dallas County community through various charitable efforts, including the winter blast that impacted the region back in February.
“Dončić carries an important role in the community and we thank him for joining owner Mark Cuban and other team members in donating $1.25 million in February when the winter storm wiped out the county,” Judge Jenkins read. “Luka also joined the Mavs in donating $500,000 in funds to support childcare for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. Luka also donated Jordan shoes to frontline healthcare workers back in March.”
Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall joined commissioners court via Zoom to praise the work of Dončić and thanked the county leaders for recognizing his tremendous accomplishments.
“On behalf of the Dallas Mavericks, thank you so much for recognizing him and what he’s doing,” Marshall told the court. “We appreciate him here in Dallas and we appreciate how he representing Dallas around the world.”
Slovenia will be placed in Group C for the Tokyo Games, one of the three four-team groups at the Olympics. Slovenia will play Argentina on July 26, Japan on July 29 and reigning World Cup champion Spain on Aug. 1. The top two teams in each group, plus two wild cards, will make the Olympic quarterfinals.
“It’s just one of the best feelings,” Dončić said. “We worked hard for this.”
Some fans on social media questioned why the county didn’t wait a day to match the 7/7 date with Doncic’s No. 77 jersey; however, the decision was actually made with great intent and purpose. July 7 marks the somber fifth anniversary when five police officers were shot and killed by a Dallas gunman who used street protests conceal his ambush attack.
Back in Slovenia, Dončić awoke to an influx of messages Tuesday congratulating him on Luka Dončić Day.
“Thank you for this honor Dallas County and MFFLs,” the 22-year-old global sensation tweeted to fans.
Messages from all over the world poured in from fans, many congratulating him and wishing him good luck in Tokyo.
Marshall also took to social media to write a heartfelt message about what Dončić means to Dallas County and fans around the globe, especially children.
“One of the reasons I appreciate Luka is he truly loves our children,” Marshall wrote. “I saw him stop warming up to respond to a child’s request. Giving away shoes, writing big checks, providing childcare for first responders, starting a foundation, etc., are great. But to give of your time to embrace a little person and their dream is heartwarming to me. And he didn’t think twice about it. THIS is the spirit of our Dallas Mavericks team. They are caring human beings who give of their time, talent, and treasure. Yes, today is Luka Doncic Day and he would want us to appreciate our entire team. And I do.”
WHEREAS, The Dallas Mavericks organization was established in 1980 bringing the first NBA franchise to Dallas County. On June 21, 2018, the Mavericks traded for a 19-year-old Luka Dončić from Ljubljana, Slovenia. He quickly became one of the most recognized and elite players in the game and has brought fans together from across the globe; and
WHEREAS, Much like fellow European Dirk Nowitzki landed in our great city 20 years prior, Dončić has quickly become an adored and adopted North Texan. And he’s on track to be right alongside Nowitzki in the history books; and
WHEREAS, Today we honor the Slovenian’s ability to unite a community, leading the Mavericks to the Southwest Division title and the team’s second straight playoff appearance in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Today we recognize his other accomplishments in the NBA, after the 22-year-old was named to the All-NBA First Team for the second straight year in 2020-21, becoming the youngest player in league history to earn multiple All-NBA First Team selections. The 2018-19 NBA Rookie of the Year also started his second consecutive All-Star Game in 2021, becoming the sixth player in league history to start multiple All-Star games before their 23rd birthday; and
WHEREAS, Dončić, already the franchise’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (36), holds career averages of 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 199 regular season games. In the playoffs, his averages have increased to 33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 13 games and he has now surpassed Michael Jordan (33.4 ppg) for the highest career scoring average in postseason history (min. 10 games); and
WHEREAS, Dončić carries an important role in the community and we thank him for joining owner Mark Cuban and other team members in donating $1.25 million in February when the winter storm wiped out the county. Luka also joined the Mavs in donating $500,000 in funds to support childcare for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. Luka also donated Jordan shoes to frontline healthcare workers back in March; and
WHEREAS, Today here in Dallas County, we celebrate Luka Dončić’s contributions to the game and county, both on and off the court. This year he once again finished second in total NBA jersey sales, second only to LeBron James. Now, anywhere you go across the world, you will see people wearing Dallas across their chests; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Dallas County Commissioners Court does hereby congratulate and honor Luka Dončić as an ambassador to the game of basketball and we are thrilled and proud to have him serve as a representative to fine folks of Dallas County. Today we congratulate him on his accomplishments and look forward to more exciting years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we hereby proclaim July 6, 2021 as LUKA DONČIĆ DAY and encourage all #MFFLs to show their pride and appreciation for #77 and for all he has done for our community and for the Dallas Mavericks.
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