Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dirk Nowitzki

How Dirk Nowitzki built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Dirk Nowitzki, a retired German professional basketball player and current special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks, is celebrated as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history and the greatest European player ever. Standing at 7 ft 0 in, Nowitzki's illustrious career earned him a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. His achievements were further recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1990: Last Made Playoffs

In 1990, the Mavericks last made the playoffs.

1990: Reached Playoffs for the first time since 1990

In the 2000's season, the Mavericks reached the playoffs for the first time since 1990

1992: Olympics Since 1992

In 1992, The German basketball team appeared in the Olympics for the first time since 1992.

1994: Played as an outside-scoring forward

In 1994, Dirk Nowitzki's first trainer Pit Stahl played him as an outside-scoring forward rather than an inside-scoring center, using his shooting skills.

1994: Joined DJK Squad

In the summer of 1994, then 16-year-old Dirk Nowitzki made the DJK squad, marking an early milestone in his basketball career.

1995: Finished as a disappointing sixth of 12 teams

In the 1994–95 Second Bundesliga season, DJK finished as a disappointing sixth of 12 teams; the rookie Nowitzki was often benched and struggled with bad school grades.

1996: Averaged 19.4 points per game

In the 1996–97 Second Bundesliga season, Dirk Nowitzki averaged 19.4 points per game and led DJK again to second place after the regular season.

March 29, 1998: Participated in Nike Hoop Summit

On March 29, 1998, Dirk Nowitzki played in the Nike Hoop Summit, scoring 33 points and grabbing 14 rebounds for the international team.

1998: Returned to DJK Würzburg

In 1998, Dirk Nowitzki returned to DJK Würzburg and played thirteen games due to the 1998–99 NBA lockout.

1998: Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and traded to the Dallas Mavericks

In 1998, Dirk Nowitzki was chosen as the ninth pick in the NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he played his entire 21-year NBA career.

1998: Drafted into the NBA

In 1998, Dirk Nowitzki was drafted into the NBA as a prep-to-pro player. The Milwaukee Bucks selected him with the ninth pick and traded him to the Dallas Mavericks. He started wearing No. 41 because No. 14 was already taken.

January 4, 2000: Mark Cuban Bought the Mavericks

On January 4, 2000, Mark Cuban bought the Mavericks for $280 million, leading to significant investments and improvements in the franchise.

2000: Improved Averages

In the 2000–01 NBA season, Dirk Nowitzki further improved his averages, recording 21.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

2001: NBA Playoff Appearance

In 2001, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to NBA playoff appearances.

2001: Contract Extension

In 2001, Nowitzki signed a six-year, $90 million contract extension with the Mavericks, making him the second-highest-paid German athlete after Michael Schumacher.

2002: Won Bronze Medal in FIBA World Championship

In 2002, Dirk Nowitzki led the Germany national team to a bronze medal in the FIBA World Championship. He was also the leading scorer and MVP of the tournament.

2002: Leading Scorer and MVP of FIBA World Championship

In 2002, Nowitzki was the leading scorer and MVP of the FIBA World Championship.

2003: NBA Playoffs

In 2003, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a franchise-high 60–22 record. The Mavericks had to play sixth seed Portland Trail Blazers in the 2003 NBA Playoffs. Nowitzki delivered a clutch performance in Game 7 against the Kings, scoring 30 points, grabbing 19 rebounds. However, in the Western Conference Finals, Nowitzki suffered a knee injury after a collision with Manu Ginóbili, forcing him out of the series and the Mavericks ultimately lost in six games.

December 2, 2004: Career High Score

On December 2, 2004, Nowitzki scored 53 points in an overtime win against the Houston Rockets, marking a career-best for him.

2004: All-NBA First Team

In 2004, Nowitzki was voted to the All-NBA First Team for the first time.

2005: Won Silver Medal in EuroBasket

In 2005, Dirk Nowitzki led the Germany national team to a silver medal in EuroBasket. He was the leading scorer and MVP of the tournament.

2005: MVP of EuroBasket 2005 Tournament

In 2005, Nowitzki was the MVP of the EuroBasket tournament.

2005: NBA Playoffs Campaign

In the 2005 NBA Playoffs, the Mavericks had a subpar campaign. They defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round but lost to the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semi-finals. Nowitzki struggled with his shooting in Game 6.

2006: Three-Point Contest Win

During the 2006 All-Star Weekend in Houston, Nowitzki scored 18 points to defeat Ray Allen and Gilbert Arenas in the Three-Point Contest.

2006: Led Mavericks to first NBA Finals Appearance

In 2006, Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance.

2006: Playoff Performance and Finals Appearance

In 2006, Nowitzki lead the Mavericks to a 60-win season, averaging 27.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the playoffs. The Mavericks swept the Memphis Grizzlies, defeated the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns to advance to the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

2006: Won NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest

In 2006, Nowitzki won the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest. During the 2006-07 season, he also became the fifth member of the NBA's 50-40-90 Club, achieving exceptional shooting percentages.

2006: NBA season

In the 2006–07 season, Nowitzki shot a career-best 50.2% from the field and led the Mavericks to a franchise-high 67 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in the 2007 NBA Playoffs.

2007: Won NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 2007, Dirk Nowitzki won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

2007: EuroBasket 2007

In 2007, Nowitzki led Germany to a fifth-place finish at the EuroBasket tournament, where he was the leading scorer with 24.0 points per game. Although Germany fell short of direct qualification for the 2008 Olympics, they were allowed to participate in the 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

2007: MVP Award and Playoff Loss

In 2007, Nowitzki was named the NBA's regular-season Most Valuable Player, becoming the first European player in NBA history to receive the honor. However, the Mavericks lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.

2007: Playoff Exit and Coaching Change

In the 2007–08 campaign, Nowitzki and the Mavericks faced another first-round playoff exit. The playoff loss led to the firing of Avery Johnson as head coach and the eventual hiring of Rick Carlisle.

February 6, 2008: First Career Triple-Double

On February 6, 2008, Nowitzki recorded his first career triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks, with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists.

March 8, 2008: All-Time Career Points Leader

On March 8, 2008, Nowitzki surpassed Rolando Blackman to become the Mavericks' all-time career points leader, scoring his 16,644th point against the New Jersey Nets.

2008: 2008 Olympics

In 2008, Nowitzki led Germany in a crucial match against Puerto Rico, scoring 32 points to secure a 96-82 win and send the German basketball team to their first Olympics since 1992. Nowitzki was also chosen as the flag bearer for the German Olympic Team at the Opening Ceremony. The German team finished tenth in the tournament, with Nowitzki averaging 17.0 points and 8.4 rebounds.

2009: Skipped EuroBasket 2009

In 2009, Nowitzki skipped the EuroBasket tournament.

2009: All-NBA First Team Selection

In the 2008-2009 NBA Season, Nowitzki garnered his fourth All-NBA First Team selection and made the 2009 All-Star game. He led Dallas to an upset win over long-time rival San Antonio (the third seed), winning the first-round series, 4–1. The Mavericks, however, fell short against the Denver Nuggets, 4–1, in the second round.

2009: Mavericks Season and Playoff Failure

The Mavericks finished the 2009–10 NBA season as the second seed for the 2010 NBA Playoffs. However, for the third time in four seasons, they failed to progress to the next round against San Antonio. Nowitzki signed a four-year, $80 million deal to remain in Dallas.

January 13, 2010: 20,000-Point Milestone

On January 13, 2010, Nowitzki became the 34th player in NBA history—and the first European—to hit the 20,000-point milestone.

July 2010: Skipped 2010 FIBA World Championship

In July 2010, Nowitzki announced that he would not participate in the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

2010: All-Star Selection

Prior to the 2010–11 season, the Mavericks traded for center Tyson Chandler. Despite missing nine games during the season, Nowitzki was selected to the All-Star Game for the tenth time in 2010.

2011: Won NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2011, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their only NBA championship and won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

2011: Played in EuroBasket 2011

In 2011, Nowitzki played with Germany in the EuroBasket 2011, where the team finished in ninth place.

2011: NBA Finals MVP

In 2011, Nowitzki was named MVP of the NBA Finals.

2012: NBA Playoff Appearance

In 2012, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to NBA playoff appearances.

2014: NBA Playoff Appearance

In 2014, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to NBA playoff appearances.

2015: Captained Germany at EuroBasket

In 2015, Nowitzki captained Germany at the EuroBasket tournament, but the team only won one game and was eliminated in the group stage on home soil.

January 2016: Retirement from National Team

In January 2016, Nowitzki officially announced his retirement from Germany's national team, ending a career where he averaged 19.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

2016: NBA Playoff Appearance

In 2016, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to NBA playoff appearances.

December 2019: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

In December 2019, Nowitzki received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, recognizing his social commitment.

September 2022: Number Retired by German National Team

In September 2022, Dirk Nowitzki became the first German men's player to have his number retired, a testament to his contributions to German basketball.