Dirk Nowitzki

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Würzburg, Germany, Dirk Nowitzki comes from an athletic family: his mother Helga was a professional basketball player and his father Jörg-Werner was a handball player who represented Germany at the highest international level. Nowitzki initially played handball and tennis, becoming a ranked junior tennis player, but turned to basketball after watching the 1992 U.S. Olympic 'Dream Team.' At 15, he joined DJK Würzburg and caught the attention of former German international Holger Geschwindner, who coached him individually. Geschwindner emphasized shooting and passing, shunned weight training, and encouraged Nowitzki to play music and read literature. After a year, Geschwindner challenged him to decide between being a local hero or training daily to play against the best; Nowitzki chose the latter. Nowitzki was selected as the ninth pick in the 1998 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. He led the franchise to 15 NBA playoff appearances, 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. He is the only player to ever play for a single NBA franchise for 21 seasons, a 14-time All-Star, and the first European player to start in an All-Star Game and receive the NBA MVP award.

In Their Own Story

In international play, Nowitzki led the Germany national team to a bronze medal in the 2002 FIBA World Championship and a silver medal in EuroBasket 2005; he 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. In 2021, he was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Nowitzki was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 and into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2026. Nowitzki's early career saw him play for DJK Würzburg in Germany's second-tier league from 1994 to 1998. In the 1997–98 season, he led DJK to promotion, averaging 28.2 points per game and being voted 'German Basketballer of the Year.' At the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit, he scored 33 points on 6-of-12 shooting with 14 rebounds and 3 steals, outplaying future NBA players Rashard Lewis and Al Harrington. After being drafted, he struggled in his first NBA season due to the lockout, averaging only 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds, and even contemplated returning to Germany.

Reader's Guide

**Era at the Club:** Dirk Nowitzki spent his entire 21-year NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019), leading the franchise 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. **Playing Style:** Listed at 7 ft 0 in, Nowitzki was known for his scoring ability, versatility, accurate outside shooting, and trademark one-legged fadeaway jump shot. He was played as a power forward by coach Don Nelson, using his shooting skills rather than playing as an inside-scoring center. His unorthodox training under Holger Geschwindner emphasized shooting and passing exercises while shunning weight training and tactical drills. **Greatest Achievements:** NBA Champion (2011), NBA Finals MVP (2011), NBA MVP (2007), 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA Team member, first European player to start in an All-Star Game and receive the NBA MVP award. He is the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history and stood sixth on the NBA all-time scoring list after retirement. In international play, he led Germany to a bronze medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championship and a silver medal at EuroBasket 2005, being MVP and leading scorer in both.

Did You Know?

• Nowitzki is the only player to ever play for a single NBA franchise for 21 seasons.
• He is the first European player to start in an NBA All-Star Game and the first European to receive the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
• Nowitzki is the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history.
• He was the first non-American player to receive the Naismith Legacy Award on December 10, 2012.
• Nowitzki was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 and into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2026.