GRADIŠKA PROMOTED WORLDWIDE THANKS TO ONE MURAL

"I would feel truly proud if a child, while walking with their parents, stopped and asked who is on the mural. Inspired by the story and the answer, they might take their first basketball steps—that’s the ultimate goal and motivation behind this entire project," said Dejan Gajić, one of the initiators, at the beginning of the mural's creation.

PHOTO: Rio Priče sa putovanja

Just days after completing the largest mural dedicated to Kobe Bryant in Europe, this accomplishment gained attention not only in Europe but across the world.

Initially, the unique and positive story was shared by local media, followed by regional outlets. The project reached its peak within hours when major European and American media outlets reported on it.

Thanks to a group of young men, Gradiška, Republika Srpska, and Bosnia and Herzegovina made global headlines. The story traveled to towns and cities across the former Yugoslavia, while the news of the impressive mural honoring the iconic "Black Mamba" in the town on the Sava River was picked up by outlets such as TMZ, ClutchPoints, CBS, Yahoo Sports, Eurohoops, and many others.

The mural, created by Deni Božić from Doboj, measures 12x6 meters.

Alongside the mural's creation, young basketball enthusiasts took the opportunity to completely renovate two school playgrounds.

In the coming months, plans include painting four more murals on the walls of Danilo Borković Elementary School. In addition to Bryant, the school will feature portraits of Novak Djokovic, Tijana Bošković, Nikola Jokić, and Saša Đorđević.

Media outlets that covered the efforts of these young men from Gradiška include:

CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, Reuters, Reddit, Eurohoops, Essentially Sports, Republic World, Sky Sports, TMZ, Gazzetta, Le Figaro, L’Équipe.fr, ThisMoney, Kurier.at, British Herald, ClutchPoints, Sun Daily, Daily Times, Kleine Zeitung, One America News, Daily News, TheScore, Los Angeles Times, and many others.