Dirk Nowitzki

Date of Birth: June 19, 1978

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Biography

Dirk Nowitzki, born on June 19, 1978, in Würzburg, Germany, is a retired professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. Nowitzki’s basketball journey began in Germany, where he quickly made a name for himself due to his exceptional height, shooting ability, and versatility on the court. He was drafted 9th overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks but was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent his entire 21-season NBA career. Nowitzki’s impact on the game was profound, redefining the role of big men with his unique combination of shooting accuracy and ball-handling skills. He led the Mavericks to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2011, earning Finals MVP honors. Over his career, he amassed over 31,000 points, making him the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history. Nowitzki’s signature one-legged fadeaway jump shot became one of the most iconic moves in basketball. He retired in 2019 and remains active in various philanthropic endeavors, including his Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, which supports children’s education and health initiatives.

5 Interesting Facts about Dirk Nowitzki

1. Dirk Nowitzki is the first European player to start in an NBA All-Star Game.

2. He holds the record for the most seasons played with a single franchise (21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks).

3. Nowitzki was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2006-2007 season.

4. He played in 14 NBA All-Star Games and was named to the All-NBA Team 12 times.

5. Dirk has a wax figure in Madame Tussauds Berlin.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dirk Nowitzki

1. “I always want to be remembered as a great teammate and a great competitor.”

2. “I think you always have to be conscious of not being too comfortable.”

3. “You have to go through tough times to get to the good stuff.”

4. “I always try to push the limits and see how far I can go.”

5. “I play to win; I don’t play to lose.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Dirk Nowitzki’s highest net worth achieved is approximately $140 million.

Children

Dirk Nowitzki has three children with his wife, Jessica Olsson: a daughter, Malaika, born in July 2013, and two sons, Max, born in March 2015, and Morris, born in November 2016.