Dirk Nowitzki, a German basketball player, is widely regarded as one of the most talented European players in NBA history. Born into an athletic family, his exceptional height led him to choose basketball over other sports, where he quickly excelled. At age 16, he joined DJK Würzburg before being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA, a team he remained with throughout his entire career. Nowitzki holds the record for the most seasons (21) played with a single NBA team.
During his career, he earned multiple Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and became the first European to start in an NBA All-Star game. By the end of the 2018 season, he ranked sixth on the NBA all-time scoring list with over 31,000 points. His signature jump shot is highly praised by fellow players.
Nowitzki’s consistency and popularity have earned him numerous honors, including the Naismith Legacy Award in 2012. He also represented Germany internationally, helping his team secure a bronze medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championship. His remarkable journey as a European player in American basketball has been documented in both a book and a documentary, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of his era.
Dirk Nowitzki’s early career had a challenging start as he balanced academics with basketball. In the 1994 season of the Second Bundesliga, his performance was inconsistent, and he spent much of the time on the bench. However, in the 1995 season, he began scoring consistently and started gaining recognition. By 1996, he played a key role in helping his team secure second place in the league.
The 1997–1998 season marked a breakthrough for Nowitzki. He finished as the league’s top scorer and was named German Basketballer of the Year by the magazine Basket. His team, DJK Würzburg, also claimed the top spot that season. He gained international attention through the Nike Hoop Heroes Tour, competing against NBA stars, and delivered an impressive performance at the Nike Hoop Summit, outperforming many established NBA players. This success ultimately led to his selection by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft.
Dirk Nowitzki’s early NBA career was challenging, as he faced ridicule and struggled to score despite playing well. At times, he even considered returning to Germany, but he chose to persist with the Dallas Mavericks. In 2000, the team was acquired by Mark Cuban, who restructured the squad, resulting in improved performances for both the team and Nowitzki. That season, he averaged 17.5 points per game, earned several honors, and finished as the runner-up for the NBA Most Improved Player Award. He also became the first Mavericks player to be named to the All-NBA team, helping boost the team’s overall ranking.
In the following season, Nowitzki signed a $90-million contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid German athletes. He was also voted European Basketballer of the Year by La Gazzetta dello Sport. By the 2002 season, his scoring averages rose further, contributing significantly to the Mavericks’ improved standings. Despite a positional change, his points remained vital to the team’s success.
The 2004–2005 season saw Nowitzki achieve a career-high average of 26.1 points per game, earning him a place on the All-NBA First Team. Over the next few seasons, he continued refining his skills, and by 2006, his performance peaked as he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and led the Mavericks to the playoffs. However, despite his success, the team struggled to advance in the postseason, facing disappointing results in the following seasons.
Stats:
Dirk Nowitzki spent 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, appearing in 1,522 regular-season games. Over his career, he averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Nowitzki was selected to 14 NBA All-Star games and earned numerous accolades, including one MVP award, one Finals MVP award, and an NBA championship.
Facts:
Played four years for DJK Wurzburg in the German pro league.
Served a mandatory stint in the German army in 1997-98.
Was the ninth pick of the 1998 NBA Draft, selected by Milwaukee, but immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Was the MVP for the 2002 FIBA World Championships, with Germany winning the bronze medal.
Has led the Mavericks to 11 straight playoff appearances and has made the NBA All-Star team 10 straight times.
Became the first European born NBA MVP in 2006.
Is the Mavericks all-time leader in points, rebounds, 3-pointers made and free throws.
Plays saxophone and guitar
Achievements:
NBA Champion (2011)
NBA Finals MVP (2011)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2007)
14× NBA All-Star (2002–2012, 2014, 2015, 2019)
4× All-NBA First Team (2005–2007, 2009)
5× All-NBA Second Team (2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011)
3× All-NBA Third Team (2001, 2004, 2012)
50–40–90 club (2007)
NBA Three-Point Shootout champion (2006)
NBA Teammate of the Year (2017)
BBL Most Valuable Player (1999)
BBL Top Scorer (1999)
FIBA World Championship MVP (2002)
FIBA EuroBasket MVP (2005)
3× FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer (2001, 2005, 2007)
6× Euroscar Player of the Year (2002–2006, 2011)
2× FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year (2005, 2011)
11× All-Europeans First Team (2003–2011, 2013, 2014)
9× All-Europeans Power Forward of the Year (2005–2011, 2013, 2014)
Mister Europa Player of the Year (2005)
Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (2011)
German Sports Personality of the Year (2011)
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)
