Dirk Nowitzki Biography
Dirk NowitzkiDunkin' Dirk Nowitzki is trying to lead the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA title. Find out more about this b-ball superstar right here.
Dirk Nowitzki - Athletic Roots
Dirk Nowitzki was born in 1979 in
Wurzburg, Germany. He came from a very athletic and tall family, with his mom being a former member of the German women's national basketball team and his dad being an
international handball player. Dirk didn't start
shooting hoops until he was 13, but by the time he turned 16, he was nearly 7 feet tall and had developed into a strong
all around basketball player. After leading a team of
international junior players to a surprise victory over a US junior team at a tournament in 1998, NBA scouts
began to take notice.
Dirk Nowitzki - From Deutschland to Dallas
Dirk Nowitzki was drafted in the first round of the
1998 NBA Draft by the
Milwaukee Bucks, who immediately traded him to the
Dallas Mavericks. After a disappointing rookie season, Nowitzki emergered as a star in 2000 and was named the
NBA's most improved player. The following season, Nowitzki averaged 21.8 points per game and led the Mavericks to their
first playoff appearance in 11 years. He also became the first member of the Mavs to be named to
the All-NBA Team.
Dirk Nowitzki - NBA Superstar
Dirk Nowitzki's rare combination of
size and athleticism has made him one of the best all around players in
the NBA. He is one of the
top shooters in the game and his seven-foot frame makes it difficult for defenders to
guard his shots. He has also become a strong rebounder and is one of the league's top
free-throw shooters. While his defensive game could use some work, he has made tremendous strides since entering the NBA. Nowitzki's emergence as a basketball star has also led the NBA to look for more players from Europe such as
Tony Parker and
Pau Gasol. Nowitzki was named to the
2006 NBA All-Star Team and led the
Mavs to their first ever appearance in the
NBA Finals.
Dirk Nowitzki - Did U Know?
Dirk Nowitzki led Germany to a silver medal at the World Basketball Championships in 2002.
Besides being athletic, Dirk Nowitzki is also quite musical. In his spare time, he plays the saxophone and the guitar.
Dirk Nowitzki is best friends with fellow NBA superstar, Steve Nash, who used to be his teammate with the Mavericks.
In 2005, Dirk Nowitzki was a victim of a prank on the Ashton Kutcher television show, Punk'd!.
Related Stories:
Steve Nash Biography
Kobe Bryant Biography
Allen Iverson - Biography
More Bios of Your Fave Athletes
Read more: The Pros