Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki is a retired German professional basketball player. He spent his entire 21-year National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the Dallas Mavericks. Nowitzki is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards and greatest international players in NBA history. He is also the NBA's sixth-highest all-time leading scorer.

Born in Würzburg, West Germany, Nowitzki began his professional career in the German Basketball Bundesliga in 1994. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA draft as the ninth overall pick and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Over his career, he led the Mavericks to their first NBA championship in 2011, earning NBA Finals MVP honors. He was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2007.

Nowitzki was a 14-time NBA All-Star and a 12-time All-NBA selection. He represented Germany internationally, leading them to a bronze medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championship and a silver medal at the 2005 EuroBasket. His signature fadeaway jump shot became one of the most unstoppable offensive weapons in the league.

After retiring in 2019, Nowitzki remained with the Mavericks organization. He is celebrated for his longevity, skill, and impact on the game, particularly in popularizing basketball globally and inspiring a generation of European players. His number 41 jersey has been retired by the Dallas Mavericks.