Mike Dunleavy of the Golden State Warriors and Brent Barry of the San Antonio Spurs took time out from their vacation in Ireland to visit the Physical Education Centre at Queen’s and support 'Playing for Peace' on Wednesday 26 July. Six foot nine Dunleavy made international sport headlines last November when he signed a 5-year, $44 million contract extension with the Warriors.

Matt Quinn, Project Director with the Washington DC based charity ‘Playing for Peace’ said: “The visit to Belfast has been a huge hit, not just because the two NBA stars gave up their time and generated a lot of media interest, but have helped launch the potential for more cross community activity between youngsters here in Belfast through basketball.”

The international basketball stars took a black taxi style tour of Belfast before the PEC event and were introduced to the George Best mural on the Cregagh estate, a soccer hero recognised before his untimely death with the award of an Honorary Degree by Queen's.

“The guys were genuinely taken aback by the use of murals as internal boundary markers in parts of the city. The visit has given them a better understanding of why we want to reinforce the playing of basketball to open new contact and dialogue and help bridge community divides here,” according to Matt Quinn.

Cross community basketball teams have already been established in Dungannon, Armagh, Portadown, Limavady and Derry with a contingent from the northwest’s Northstar Club at the PEC event to help get the Belfast initiative underway. Moving forward, the forty youngsters from Belfast’s Short Strand and Dee Street Community Centres who were treated to a master class in basketball dunking by the NBA star.