from 22. 9. to 11. 11. 2026, National Liberation Museum Maribor
Heritage Under the Hoops
The story of basketball in Slovenia is more than a series of sporting achievements and medals won. It is a living heritage, passed down from generation to generation for decades. Its rhythm is set by the bounce of the ball and the squeak of trainers on the court, while its story is shaped by the many experiences of players, coaches, fans and families who have helped build this community. Today, Slovenian basketball proudly stands on the shoulders of the greats of the past, while new generations – from young talents in school gyms to stars competing in leagues around the world – show that the heritage of basketball is far from a finished story. With every shot at the basket, it continues to be written. This year, the exhibition is touring Slovenia.
The exhibition is an extension of last year’s panel exhibition on the history of Slovenian basketball, enriched this year with a selection of objects from the Sports Museum collection. Photographs, documents and objects come together to create a comprehensive story of the history and heritage of Slovenian basketball and the generations who have helped shape it. Through a combination of photographs, documents and valuable objects, the exhibition brings to life the rich history of basketball in Slovenia. It is presented in two parts: the outdoor panels trace the development of basketball in Slovenia over the decades, while the central section in the indoor spaces explores Slovenian basketball heritage through major competitions – from national, European and World Championships to Olympic highlights.
The opening will be accompanied by a round table discussion, “Guardians of Sporting Heritage”, focusing on Slovenian sporting heritage. The discussion will bring together Mag. Katja Koren, a former elite alpine skier, Olympic bronze medallist, sports official and State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth; Slavko Kotnik, a former professional basketball player; and Maja Hakl Saje, curator of the exhibition and curator at the Sports Museum.
The round table has also been conceived with the local sporting community in mind. Slavko Kotnik and Mag. Katja Koren are both from Maribor and former elite athletes whose sporting careers form an important part of Slovenian sporting heritage. Together with Maja Hakl Saje, they will reflect on the importance of sporting heritage, the preservation of sporting memories, and their transmission from one generation to the next.
Programme, 22 September 2026
• 18.00 | Exhibition opening
• 18.05 | Welcome addresses: Simona Tripkovič, Director of the Museum of National Liberation Maribor; Dr Aleš Šafarič, Head of the Sports Museum; and Davorka Pregl, Deputy Mayor of the City Municipality of Maribor
• 18.15 | Round table discussion “Guardians of Sporting Heritage” with Mag. Katja Koren, Slavko Kotnik and Maja Hakl Saje
• 19.00 | Guided tour of the exhibition
• 19.30 | Social gathering
The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme.
In 2025, the Sports Museum prepared a panel exhibition entitled Heritage under the Hoops. Yet no museum exhibition is ever a finished story; rather, it is only the beginning, opening up new questions and perspectives. We therefore decided to take a step further. Wishing to present Slovenia’s rich basketball history in a more tangible way, we expanded the original panel exhibition and enriched it with an exceptional display of artefacts.
A Story that Began with Peach Baskets
Modern basketball was born during the winter of 1891–1892 as the result of the reflection and ingenuity of the Canadian-American physical education instructor Dr James Naismith, who was searching for suitable recreation for his students and young people in general during the cold winter months. The original game, modestly named basket ball, was simple: two teams competed to score points by getting the ball into a basket – initially actual peach baskets. Even the first written rules laid down the foundations of the game as we know it today. Over time, the sport evolved, adapted, and spread across the globe.
From Local Courts to the World Stage
An important part of this global story is also the heritage of basketball in Slovenia. The saying “Great things grow from small beginnings” is confirmed beneath our hoops at every turn, as dedicated youth development and organisational perseverance gave rise to a sporting story that extends far beyond our borders.
After the Second World War, Slovenian basketball not only developed within the Yugoslav sporting sphere, but also provided it with key directions for progress through the pioneering visions of coaches and players. With Slovenia’s independence in 1991, the national framework changed, yet the knowledge, tradition, and passion remained untouched. The new state inherited generations accustomed to major competitions and ambitious goals.
When Objects Speak
Through a carefully considered interplay of photographs, documents, and valuable artefacts, the enhanced exhibition brings to life the journey travelled by our basketball players, both women and men. The outdoor panels guide visitors through the decades-long development of basketball in Slovenia, while the central section within the museum focuses on Slovenian basketball heritage through the prism of major competitions – from national, European, and world championships to Olympic highlights.
The objects presented in the exhibition are carriers of memory. They speak not only of victories, but also of the path that led to them: of training, organisation, courage, and belonging. The heritage of basketball is not a finished story – it is a process that continues with every new generation.
-
Dediščina pod košem, ŠC Ilirija, 2026, foto_Franci Virant, hrani Muzej športa -
Heritage under the hoops, ŠC Ilirija, 2026, foto_Franci Virant, held by Sports Museum -
Dediščina pod košem, julij 2026, Pokrajinski muzej Koper, foto Blaž Lenček, hrani KZS
Exhibition authors
Author of the exhibition: Maja Hakl Saje
Contributing experts: dr. Tadej Curk, Petra Juvan, Daša Ozimek, Andreja Potočnik, dr. Aleš Šafarič
Exhibition Design: Anamarija Ludvik
Pop Art Portraits: Danica Guberinič – Nana
Editing and translation: Alenka Ropret
Production of equipment and replicas, and technical installation: Artalt, Anže Bizjak, s. p.
Video production: Muzej športa 2025, 2026
Photographic material provided by: Marjana Bremec Homar, Ivo Daneu, Tomaž Kamenarič, KK Šentjur, Košarkarska zveza Slovenije, Muzej športa, Nataša Šiško, Meta Štoka Debevec, Jure Zdovc, ŽKK Cinkarna Celje
Special thanks: Tomaž Alauf, Marjana Bremec Homar, Grega Brezovec, Ivo Daneu, Dassašport, d. o. o., Danica Guberinič, Tomaž Kamenarič, KK Šentjur, Košarkarska zveza Slovenije, Lojze Šiško, Nataša Šiško, Meta Štoka Debevec, Peter Vilfan, Jure Zdovc, ŽKK Cinkarna Celje
Exhibition supported by: Ministry of the Economy, Labour and Sport
The exhibition is hosted by the Museum of National Liberation Maribor in cooperation with the City Municipality of Maribor.