Dirk Werner Nowitzki, best known by his stage name Dirk Nowitzki, is a German front office executive and former professional basketball player. Nowitzki is a special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. He is recognized as one of the greatest power forwards of all time.
He is also often recognized as the greatest European player of all time. After playing for DJK Wurzburg from 1994 to 1998, he was taken ninth overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. He was quickly traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he played for the rest of his 21-year NBA career. In 2011, he was named MVP of the NBA Finals after leading the Mavericks to victory.
For the first time, he was named NBA MVP in 2007. During his professional career, he established a number of NBA records. He is the first player in NBA history to have 31,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,000 steals, 1,000 blocks, and 1,000 three-point field goals.
Dirk Nowitzki’s Biography, Age, and Parents
Dirk Nowitzki was born in Dallas, Texas, on June 19, 1978. His given name is Dirk Werner Nowitzki. He was born in the West German city of Wurzburg. He is a German citizen. Jorg-Werner Bredenbrocker and Helga Bredenbrocker were his parents. His mother is Silke Nowitzki, his older sister.
Nowitzki started his professional career as a handball and tennis player, advancing to the top of the German junior tennis circuit. Because of his height, he tried basketball.
Dirk Nowitzki’s Career
Nowitzki has joined the DJK of Wurzburg. Former German international basketball player Holger Geschwindner saw the youngster’s potential and offered to teach him individually. He was helped by the coach in polishing his skills. He ultimately started full-time training with Geschwindner.
He joined the DJK team in 1994. He was just 16 years old at the time. DJK was playing in Germany’s second-tier league at the time. He was a backup his first season with the squad, but the next season he was a regular starter.
He finished his “Abitur” (German A-levels) during the 1997-98 school year and served in the Bundeswehr from September 1997 to June 1998. Following his return, he became a key player for DJK, helping them secure promotion to the top-tier league.
He was voted “German Basketballer of the Year” after leading the league in scoring with 28.2 points per game. He was chosen to participate in the Nike Hoop Summit in 1998 after participating in the Nike “Hoop Heroes Tour.” His performance wowed a number of European clubs as well as NBA teams. He was named Bundesliga MVP and Top Scorer in the Bundesliga in 1999.
He was accepted to a number of universities in the United States. In 1998, he did, however, declare for the NBA Draft. The Milwaukee Bucks selected him ninth overall in the draft. The Bucks immediately moved him to the Dallas Mavericks in a multi-team deal.
Nowitzki struggled to make an impression in the NBA during his first season. He improved in his second NBA season, finishing second in the NBA Most Improved Player Award voting. He spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks, which lasted 21 years.
He led the franchise to 15 NBA playoff appearances. He led the squad to its first NBA finals in 2006. However, they were defeated in the finals. He led the Mavericks to their first NBA championship in 2011. He was also named MVP of the NBA Finals.
During his 21-year career, he was named to the NBA All-Star squad 14 times and the All-NBA Team 12 times. He was named NBA MVP in 2007. Several NBA and Mavericks franchise records were set throughout his tenure. In NBA history, he holds the record for most points scored by a foreign-born player.
He is the first Maverick to make an NBA All-Star squad. After a 21-year career with the Mavericks, he announced his retirement from basketball in 2019. He scored 31,560 points (20.7 ppg) in the NBA, pulled down 11,489 rebounds (7.5 rpg), and dished out 3,651 assists (2.4 apg).
Following his retirement, he was placed sixth on the National Basketball Association’s all-time scoring list. He later became a special adviser with the Mavericks. Nowitzki made his international basketball debut with the German national team in 1997.
He made his EuroBasket debut for Germany in 1999. He went on to play in the EuroBasket 2001 for Germany. He led Germany to a bronze medal in the 2002 FIBA World Championship. At EuroBasket 2005, he led Germany to a silver medal. He was the highest scorer in both tournaments and was named MVP.
Three times he has won the FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer honor, and six times he has won the Euroscar Player of the Year award. He announced his retirement from the German national team in January 2016. He was named FIBA Europe Men’s Player of the Year in 2005 and 2011.
Eleven times he was chosen to the All-European First Team, and nine times he was awarded All-European Power Forward of the Year. He was named Mister Europa Player of the Year in 2005. He received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, Germany’s Sports Personality of the Year, in 2011. He was awarded the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Who is Dirk Nowitzki’s Wife?
Dirk Nowitzki is a parent and a spouse. Jessica Olsson is his wife’s name. Jessica Olsson is the younger sister of Swedish players Martin and Marcus Olsson. The couple started dating in 2010. They married on July 20, 2012, on the 20th of July. They have a daughter and two sons together.
Nowitzki previously dated Sybille Gerer. Sybille was a female basketball player who was a member of DJK, his local team. They took place between 1992 and 2002.
Dirk Nowitzki’s Body Measurements
Dirk Nowitzki stands at 2.13 meters and is 7 feet tall. He is around 111 pounds (245 kilograms) in weight. He has a well-developed body. His blonde hair is blonde, and his hazel eyes are hazel. His sexual orientation is heterosexual.
What is Dirk Nowitzki’s Net Worth?
Dirk Nowitzki was a professional basketball player who earned a livelihood. He spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks, which spanned 21 years. He was formerly one of the highest-paid basketball players in the NBA. He signed many contract extensions with the Mavericks over his 21-year NBA career.
After signing a six-year contract extension with the Mavericks for $90 million in 2001, he became the second-highest-paid German athlete. In 2014, he agreed to a three-year, $25 million contract with the Mavericks. His most recent contract with the Mavericks was a two-year, $10 million deal signed in July 2017.
After retiring from basketball, he became a special consultant with the Mavericks. During his prime, he was paid almost $15 million per year. His net worth is believed to be $140 million.
Dirk Nowitzki’s Quick Facts
- His mother was a German national handball player, and his father was a professional basketball player
- His sister was a track and field champion who went on to play basketball professionally.
- He’s the fourth German player to play in the NBA.
- He is the only player from Wurzburg to have ever played in the NBA.
- He holds the record for being the tallest player in the history of the Three-Point Contest.
- He wore the number 41 jersey for the Dallas Mavericks.
- He is the only player in NBA history to spend his whole career with an one franchise.
- He is the first European player to be named NBA MVP.
- He is the first player to win the Naismith Trophy from outside the United States.
- His scoring ability, variety, outside shooting accuracy, and distinctive fadeaway jump shot have all been praised.
- He won the NBA Three-Point Contest in 2006.
- Dirk Nowitzki, Steven Nash, and Michael Finley were the Mavericks’ “Big Three.”
- He lost a tooth in a collision with San Antonio Spurs guard Terry Porter in 2000.
- He’s the sixth player in NBA history to surpass 30,000 points, and the first from Europe.
- The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, which he founded, strives to relieve poverty in Africa.
- He is a devoted Arsenal FC supporter.
- The documentary film Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot, released in 2014, explores his career and life.