Dirk Werner Nowitzki, a former German professional basketball player, is a special advisor to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA.
Standing 7 feet tall, Nowitzki is widely regarded as one of the top forwards in history and is often hailed as the best European player ever.
He was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
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- Full name: Dirk Werner Nowitzki
- Stage name: Dirk Nowitzki
- Date of birth: June 19, 1978
- Age: 45 years
- Place of birth: Wuzburg, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Occupation: Basketball player
- Height: 2.13m
- Parents: Jorge Werner, Helga Nowitzki
- Siblings: Silks Nowitzki
- Spouse: Jessica Olson
- Children: Malaika Nowitzki, Max Nowitzki and Morris Nowitzki
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $140 million
Early life
Dirk Werner Nowitzki was born in Würzburg, Germany. His father, Jörg–Werner, played handball and represented Germany at the highest international level.
His mother, Helga Nowitzki (née Bredenbröcker), was a professional basketball player. His older sister, Silke Nowitzki, currently works for the NBA in international broadcasting. She was a local track and field champion before turning to basketball.
As a tall child, Nowitzki was often a foot or more taller than his classmates. He played softball and tennis early on.
As a highly regarded junior tennis player, he broke into the German junior tennis circuit. However, he eventually switched to basketball because he was tired of being labeled as a “monstrous” because of his height.
The 15-year-old caught the eye of former German international basketball player Holger Geschwindner after he joined local side DJK Würzburg.
Geschwindner immediately recognized the youngster’s potential and volunteered to coach him one-on-one two to three times a week.
Education
Although Dirk Nowitzki did not pursue a college basketball career in the United States, he received a comprehensive education in Germany.
Nowitzki completed his Abitur at the Röntgen Gymnasium in Würzburg, Germany.
This exam is equivalent to the American high school diploma and requires passing rigorous tests in a variety of subjects.
Although his main passion shifted to basketball, Nowitzki maintained an interest in academics, particularly languages. He is said to speak German, English, Spanish and Slovenian fluently.
Career
Nowitzki began playing basketball as a child and quickly became a skilled player. He played professionally in Germany before being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA Draft.
However, he was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he would spend his entire 21-year NBA career. Dirk Nowitzki currently plays basketball in Germany.
Nowitzki quickly became a key player for the Mavericks, known for his smooth shooting ability, deft footwork and high basketball IQ.
He is a 14-time NBA All-Star, a 12-time All-NBA selection, and the 2007 NBA Most Valuable Player. He is also the only player in NBA history to play for a single team during his 21-season career.
In 2011, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their first and only NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat in the Finals.
He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for his performance in the series.
Awards and nominations
NBA Awards:
- NBA Champion: 2011
- NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 2011
- NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2007 (first European player to win the award)
- 14× NBA All-Star: 2002–2012, 2014, 2015, 2019
- 4× NBA All-Star Team: 2005–2007, 2009
- 5× NBA 2nd All-Star Team: 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011
- 3× Third All-NBA Team: 2001, 2004, 2012
- NBA Three-Point Contest Champion: 2006
- NBA Teammate of the Year: 2017
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team: 2021
International Awards:
- FIBA World Cup Most Valuable Player: 2002
- FIBA EuroBasket Player of the Year: 2005
- 6× Euroscar Player of the Year: 2002–2006, 2011
- 2× FIBA Europe Men’s Player of the Year: 2005, 2011
- FIBA EuroBasket Dream Team: 2020
Other awards:
- German Sports Personality of the Year: 2011 (first basketball player to receive the award)
- Naismith Legacy Award: 2012 (first non-American player to receive this award)
- Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: 2020
- Laureus Sportsman of the Year: 2012
Nominations:
- MVP: 2006 (runner-up), 2008 (runner-up), 2009 (3rd place)
- Finals MVP: 2006 (runner-up)
- NBA All-Star Team: 2008, 2010, 2012
- 2nd All-NBA Team: 2001, 2004
Social media
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Personal life
Silke Nowitzki, Nowitzki’s sister, describes her brother as confident but private, unaffected by wealth or fame.
He enjoyed reading and playing the saxophone. At the Röntgen Gymnasium in Würzburg, Nowitzki passed his Abitur exam. To fight poverty in Africa, he founded the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, a charity.
Nowitzki dated a female basketball player from his hometown team, DJK Würzburg, named Sybille Gerer.
In 2002, Nowitzki announced the end of their ten-year relationship, which began in 1992.Eventually, we discovered that we developed in separate ways,he commented.
Even though it doesn’t work anymore, our friendship still remains.I really want to get married and have kids, but I don’t think it will happen before I turn thirty.“, he continued.
Net worth
Dirk Nowitzki, a German-born retired professional basketball player, has a net worth of $140 million.
