It was a momentous occasion for the franchise because the event also marked the first anniversary of the Mavs’ GEM program — which stands for Girls Empowered by Mavs.
During the pandemic, Mavs Academy youth basketball senior coordinator Kelli Robinson spent hours upon hours on Zoom visiting with girls between ages 9-14.
She realized that age group in particular not only needed — but deserved — more attention, care and encouragement, and the Mavs agreed.
GEM was born from there, and the program has reached hundreds of young women across North Texas through numerous programs and outreach endeavors.