Dirk Werner Nowitzki (German pronunciation: [ˈdɪʁk noˈvɪtski], ; born June 19, 1978) is a German former professional basketball player who is a special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] Listed at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m),[2] he is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time and is considered by many to be the greatest European player of all time.[a] In 2021, he was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.[3] In 2023, Nowitzki was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[4][5]
An alumnus of the DJK Würzburg basketball club, Nowitzki was chosen as the ninth pick in the 1998 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he played his entire 21-year NBA career. Nowitzki led the Mavericks to 15 NBA playoff appearances (2001–2012; 2014–2016), including the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance in 2006 and its only NBA championship in 2011. Known for his scoring ability, versatility, accurate outside shooting, and trademark one-legged fadeaway jump shot, Nowitzki won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2007 and the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in 2011.
Nowitzki is the only player ever to play for a single NBA franchise for 21 seasons. He is a 14-time All-Star,[6] a 12-time All-NBA Team member,[7] the first European player to start in an All-Star Game,[7] and the first European player to receive the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.[8] Nowitzki is the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history.[9] He is the first Maverick voted onto an All-NBA Team[10] and holds several all-time Mavericks franchise records.[2] On December 10, 2012, he became the first non-American player to receive the Naismith Legacy Award.[11] Following his retirement, Nowitzki stood sixth on the NBA all-time scoring list.[12][13]
In international play, Nowitzki led the Germany national team to a bronze medal in the 2002 FIBA World Championship and silver in EuroBasket 2005, and was the leading scorer and MVP in both tournaments. He is also the first German men's player to have his number retired, receiving this honor in September 2022.
- ^ "Dirk Nowitzki Announced As Special Advisor To The Mavs". The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks. June 18, 2021. Archived from the original on July 3, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "Dirk Nowitzki stats, details, videos, and news". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on November 24, 2005. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
- ^ "NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ "Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade headline Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2023". NBA.com. Associated Press. April 1, 2023. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- ^ "Nowitzki, Gasol, Parker give international flavor to Hall of Fame enshrinement". NBA.com. Associated Press. August 13, 2023. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ "Who Has Made The Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances of All-Time". Fox Sports. February 15, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ a b By. "Mavericks re-sign 13-time all-star Dirk Nowitzki; set to break Kobe Bryant record". star-telegram. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
- ^ Nowitzki is first European to be named MVP, ESPN, May 16, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2008
- ^ "Nowitzki highest-scoring player born outside U.S." NBA.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Volpe, Conor. "Ranking the Best Seasons of Dirk Nowitzki's Career". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
- ^ "Dirk Nowitzki to get Naismith Legacy Award". ESPN. October 20, 2012. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
- ^ "All Time Leaders". NBA Stats. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
- ^ Career points leaders Archived February 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Basketball-Reference.com – NBA & ABA Leaders and Records for Points – retrieved October 31, 2019
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