Dirk Nowitzki Foundation

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki was born in Würzburg, Germany on June 19, 1978. He began his professional career with Würzburg DJK in the Bundesliga and then impressed NBA coaches and scouts with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 steals at the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit. Consequently, Dirk became the ninth pick in the NBA draft, with an arranged trade that sent him from Milwaukee to Dallas.

Dirk owns multiple Mavericks franchise records, including career points, three-point field goals, free throws, rebounds, and points in a single game. He has led the Mavericks to seasons of 50 or more wins and annual trips to the playoffs since 2001. The 2005-2006 season resulted in the Mavericks’ most exciting playoff run to date. Dirk played a major role in sweeping the Grizzlies, defeating San Antonio and the Suns, and winning the Western Conference Championship for Dallas’ first trip to the NBA Finals.

In 2006-2007, the Mavericks won a franchise record 67 games, and Dirk earned NBA Most Valuable Player honors—the first European player to win this award.

Dirk has multiple All Star appearances, including the Rookie-Sophomore game, four three-point contests (first place in 2006), and seven consecutive NBA All Star games. He also has made the All NBA Team each of the past seven years.

In 2002, after leading Germany to the bronze medal in the FIBA World Championships, Dirk became Gazzetta dello Sport’s European Basketballer of the Year, an award he has won five times. Dirk was FIBA European Basketball Player of the Year in 2005, after helping Germany win the silver medal in the FIBA European Championships. Both times he was the leading scorer and MVP.

Dirk takes his work seriously on the court, but he is also serious about making a difference off the court. Each year he makes hundreds of appearances and signs thousands of autographs in his desire to help children. In December 2007, the NBA honored him with the NBA Community Assist Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic work. Whether it is meeting children throughout the season for the Make-A-Wish Foundation or purchasing and delivering thousands of dollars worth of Christmas toys for children in a local hospital, Dirk loves to give back to children. He says, “Helping kids is one of the best things I get to do as a professional athlete, and it is a privilege to be a part of those events.”

Through the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation he offers all of us an opportunity to help give positive experiences to children around the world.