Editing Dirk Nowitzki (section)

{{short description|German basketball player (born 1978)}}
{{redirect|Nowitzki|others with the surname|Nowitzki (surname)}}
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{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Dirk Nowitzki
| image = Dirk Nowitzki - 2019202181209 2019-07-21 Champions for Charity - 1829 - B70I1864.jpg
| caption = Nowitzki in 2019
| team = Dallas Mavericks
| position = Special advisor
| league = [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|6|19}}
| birth_place = [[Würzburg]], West Germany
| height_ft = 7
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 245
| draft_year = 1998
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 9
| draft_team = [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| career_start = 1994
| career_end = 2019
| career_position = [[Power forward]]
| career_number = 41
| years1 = 1994–1998
| team1 = [[DJK Würzburg]]
| years2 = {{nbay|1998|start}}–{{nbay|2018|end}}
| team2 = [[Dallas Mavericks]]
| highlights = * [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ([[2011 NBA Finals|2011]])
* [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] ([[2011 NBA Finals|2011]])
* [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] ({{nbay|2006|end}})
* 14× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|2002}}–{{nasg|2012}}, {{nasg|2014}}, {{nasg|2015}}, {{nasg|2019}})
* 4× [[All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|2004|end}}–{{nbay|2006|end}}, {{nbay|2008|end}})
* 5× [[All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|2001|end}}, {{nbay|2002|end}}, {{nbay|2007|end}}, {{nbay|2009|end}}, {{nbay|2010|end}})
* 3× [[All-NBA Third Team]] ({{nbay|2000|end}}, {{nbay|2003|end}}, {{nbay|2011|end}})
* [[NBA Three-Point Contest]] champion ({{nasg|2006}})
* [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team]]
* No. 41 [[Dallas Mavericks#Retired numbers|retired by Dallas Mavericks]]
* [[Basketball Bundesliga MVP|German Bundesliga MVP]] (1999)
* [[Basketball Bundesliga Top Scorer|German Bundesliga Top Scorer]] (1999)
* [[FIBA Basketball World Cup Most Valuable Player|FIBA World Cup  MVP]] ([[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002]])
* [[FIBA EuroBasket MVP]] ([[EuroBasket 2005|2005]])
* [[FIBA EuroBasket 2000–2020 Dream Team|FIBA EuroBasket Dream Team]] (2020)
* 6× [[Euroscar Player of the Year]] (2002–2006, 2011)
* 2× [[FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year Award|FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year]] (2005, 2011)
* [[Mr. Europa|Mister Europa Player of the Year]] (2005)
* [[Silbernes Lorbeerblatt]] (2011)
* [[German Sports Personality of the Year]] (2011)
* [[Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award]] (2020)
* No. 14 retired by [[Germany men's national basketball team#Retired numbers|Germany national team]]
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 31,560 (20.7 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 11,489 (7.5 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 3,651 (2.4 apg)
| HOF_player = dirk-nowitzki
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|GER}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Basketball World Cup|World Cup]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2002 FIBA World Championship|2002 Indianapolis]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[EuroBasket]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[EuroBasket 2005|2005 Serbia and Montenegro]]|}}
}}
'''Dirk Werner Nowitzki''' ({{IPA|de|ˈdɪʁk noˈvɪtski|-|De-Dirk Nowitzki.ogg}}; born June 19, 1978) is a German former professional [[basketball]] player who is a special advisor for the [[Dallas Mavericks]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 18, 2021|title=Dirk Nowitzki Announced As Special Advisor To The Mavs|url=https://www.mavs.com/dirkadvisor/|access-date=June 18, 2021|website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks|language=en-US|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703075733/https://www.mavs.com/dirkadvisor/|url-status=live}}</ref> Listed at {{height|ft=7}},<ref name="nbabio">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dirk_nowitzki/ |title=Dirk Nowitzki stats, details, videos, and news. |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=March 5, 2017 |archive-date=November 24, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124150758/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dirk_nowitzki/ |url-status=live }}</ref> he is widely regarded as one of the greatest{{under discussion inline|talkpage=WT:NBA#Discussion on allowing "greatest" in the lead of all NBA players}} [[Power forward (basketball)|power forwards]] of all time and is considered by many to be the greatest{{under discussion inline|talkpage=WT:NBA#Discussion on allowing "greatest" in the lead of all NBA players}} European player of all time.{{efn|
*{{cite web |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/lists/Top-10-power-forwards-in-NBA-history#tab=photo-title=Dirk+Nowitzki+%25281994-present%2529&photo=30030689 |title=Top 10 power forwards in NBA history |work=Fox Sports |access-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-date=June 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620082558/http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/lists/Top-10-power-forwards-in-NBA-history#tab=photo-title=Dirk+Nowitzki+%25281994-present%2529&photo=30030689 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarankPFs/ranking-greatest-power-forwards-nba-history |title=All-Time #NBArank: Duncan tops list of best power forwards ever |date=January 15, 2016 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=January 15, 2016 |archive-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611114137/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarankPFs/ranking-greatest-power-forwards-nba-history |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.latestbasketballnews.com/best-european-basketball-players-of-all-time/ |title=Best European Basketball Players of All Time |date=January 13, 2018 |publisher=latestbasketballnews.com |access-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528003702/https://www.latestbasketballnews.com/best-european-basketball-players-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/magic/gallery/ranking-50-greatest-european-players-nba-history-20200807|title=Ranking 50 Greatest European Players in NBA History|website=NBA.com|date=May 19, 2021|access-date=February 7, 2022|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207061759/https://www.nba.com/magic/gallery/ranking-50-greatest-european-players-nba-history-20200807|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://hoopshype.com/lists/40-greatest-european-players-ever-the-hoopshype-list// |title=40 greatest European players ever: The HoopsHype list |date=January 11, 2022 |publisher=HoopsHype |access-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111213130/https://hoopshype.com/lists/40-greatest-european-players-ever-the-hoopshype-list/ |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=https://basketnews.com/news-163738-greatest-european-basketball-players-of-all-time-from-dirk-nowitzki-to-drazen-petrovic.html |title=Greatest European basketball players of all-time: from Dirk Nowitzki to Drazen Petrovic |date=January 13, 2022 |publisher=Basketnews |access-date=January 13, 2022 |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116034857/https://basketnews.com/news-163738-greatest-european-basketball-players-of-all-time-from-dirk-nowitzki-to-drazen-petrovic.html |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |url=https://homeofplaymakers.com/top-25-european-basketball-players-of-all-time/14 |title=Top 25 European Basketball Players Of All-Time |date=January 17, 2022 |publisher=Home of Playmaker |access-date=January 17, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404204452/https://homeofplaymakers.com/top-25-european-basketball-players-of-all-time/14 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Andy |title=Ranking the Top 50 NBA Playoff Performers of All Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10124068-ranking-the-top-50-nba-playoff-performers-of-all-time |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |access-date=June 22, 2024 |date=June 18, 2024 }}}} In 2021, he was selected to the [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced|access-date=October 22, 2021|website=NBA.com|archive-date=October 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020223835/https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, Nowitzki was inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/dirk-nowitzki-dwyane-wade-headline-naismith-hall-of-fame-class-of-2023|title=Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade headline Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2023|website=NBA.com|agency=Associated Press|date=April 1, 2023|accessdate=April 1, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402235346/https://www.nba.com/news/dirk-nowitzki-dwyane-wade-headline-naismith-hall-of-fame-class-of-2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nowitzki-gasol-parker-give-international-flavor-to-hall-of-fame-enshrinement|title=Nowitzki, Gasol, Parker give international flavor to Hall of Fame enshrinement|website=NBA.com|agency=Associated Press|date=August 13, 2023|accessdate=August 13, 2023|archive-date=August 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813075721/https://www.nba.com/news/nowitzki-gasol-parker-give-international-flavor-to-hall-of-fame-enshrinement|url-status=live}}</ref>

An alumnus of the [[DJK Würzburg]] basketball club, Nowitzki was chosen as the ninth pick in the [[1998 NBA draft]] by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he played his entire 21-year NBA career. Nowitzki led the Mavericks to 15 [[NBA Playoffs|NBA playoff appearances]] ([[2001 NBA Playoffs|2001]]–[[2012 NBA Playoffs|2012]]; [[2014 NBA Playoffs|2014]]–[[2016 NBA Playoffs|2016]]), including the franchise's first [[NBA Finals]] appearance in [[2006 NBA Finals|2006]] and its only NBA championship in [[2011 NBA Finals|2011]]. Known for his scoring ability, versatility, accurate outside shooting, and trademark one-legged [[Fadeaway|fadeaway jump shot]], Nowitzki won the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]] in 2007 and the [[NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award]] in 2011.

Nowitzki is the only player ever to [[List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise|play for a single NBA franchise for 21 seasons]]. He is a 14-time [[List of NBA All-Stars|All-Star]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/gallery/who-has-made-the-most-nba-all-star-game-appearances-of-all-time-021519 |title=Who Has Made The Most NBA All-Star Game Appearances of All-Time |work=Fox Sports |date=February 15, 2019 |access-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227060553/https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/gallery/who-has-made-the-most-nba-all-star-game-appearances-of-all-time-021519 |url-status=live }}</ref> a 12-time [[All-NBA]] Team member,<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article215356960.html|title=Mavericks re-sign 13-time all-star Dirk Nowitzki; set to break Kobe Bryant record|last=By|website=star-telegram|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-date=January 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126164242/https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article215356960.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the first European player to start in an All-Star Game,<ref name="auto"/> and the first European player to receive the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2871035 Nowitzki is first European to be named MVP], ESPN, May 16, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2008</ref> Nowitzki is the highest-scoring foreign-born player in NBA history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/2014/news/11/11/dirk-passes-olajuwon-on-scoring-list.ap/|title=Nowitzki highest-scoring player born outside U.S.|website=NBA.com|access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810182853/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/11/11/dirk-passes-olajuwon-on-scoring-list.ap/|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the first Maverick voted onto an All-NBA Team<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1748255-ranking-the-best-seasons-of-dirk-nowtizkis-career|title=Ranking the Best Seasons of Dirk Nowitzki's Career|first=Conor|last=Volpe|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-date=January 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126113851/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1748255-ranking-the-best-seasons-of-dirk-nowtizkis-career|url-status=live}}</ref> and holds several [[Dallas Mavericks all-time roster#Statistics leaders|all-time Mavericks franchise records]].<ref name=nbabio /> On December 10, 2012, he became the first non-American player to receive the [[Naismith Award|Naismith Legacy Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4693126|title=Dirk Nowitzki to get Naismith Legacy Award|publisher=ESPN|date=October 20, 2012|access-date=February 6, 2014|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723051612/http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4693126|url-status=live}}</ref> Following his retirement, Nowitzki stood sixth on the [[List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders|NBA all-time scoring list]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.nba.com/alltime-leaders/|title=All Time Leaders|website=NBA Stats|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102224949/https://www.nba.com/stats/alltime-leaders/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="points">[https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/pts_career.html Career points leaders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225112304/http://www.basketball-r/ |date=February 25, 2011 }} Basketball-Reference.com – NBA & ABA Leaders and Records for Points – retrieved October 31, 2019</ref>

In international play, Nowitzki led the [[Germany men's national basketball team|Germany national team]] to a bronze medal in the [[2002 FIBA World Championship]] and silver in [[EuroBasket 2005]], and was the leading scorer and [[Most Valuable Player|MVP]] in both tournaments. He is also the first German men's player to have his [[Germany men's national basketball team#Retired numbers|number retired]], receiving this honor in September 2022.