Lasting Legacy of Dirk Nowitzki: A Look at the Influence on History

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 15, 2026

How the contributions of Dirk Nowitzki continue to shape the world today.

Dirk Nowitzki is a retired German professional basketball player, currently a special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks. Standing at 7 feet tall, he's celebrated as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history and often regarded as the best European player ever. Nowitzki's accolades include being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

Sections (5)

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

2004: Publication of "Dirk Nowitzki: German Wunderkind"

In 2004, "Dirk Nowitzki: German Wunderkind", a 160-page hardcover book written by Dino Reisner and Holger Sauer, was published by CoPress Munich. The book documents Nowitzki's early life, NBA entry, and ascent up to the beginning of the 2004–05 NBA season.

November 2011: Publication of "Einfach Er – Dirk Nowitzki – Aus Würzburg an die Weltspitze"

In November 2011, the Würzburg local newspaper Main-Post published a 216-page book written by Jürgen Höpfl and Fabian Frühwirth titled "Einfach Er – Dirk Nowitzki – Aus Würzburg an die Weltspitze" (Just Him – Dirk Nowitzki – From Würzburg to the Top of the World).

2011: LeBron James praised Nowitzki's one-legged fadeaway

Before the start of the 2011 NBA Finals, LeBron James called Nowitzki's one-legged fadeaway the second most unstoppable move ever, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook.

December 10, 2012: Naismith Legacy Award

On December 10, 2012, Dirk Nowitzki became the first non-American player to receive the Naismith Legacy Award, acknowledging his contributions to basketball.

2014: Release of "Nowitzki. The Perfect Shot"

In 2014, the film documentary "Nowitzki. The Perfect Shot" was released, chronicling Nowitzki's career and life.

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October 30, 2019: Nowitzki Way

On October 30, 2019, part of Olive Street was renamed Nowitzki Way by a unanimous resolution of the Dallas City Council. The street runs past the American Airlines Center.

2019: Publication of "The Great Nowitzki"

In 2019, Thomas Pletzinger published the 502-page biography "The Great Nowitzki", for which he had followed Nowitzki over several years.

2021: Selection to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Dirk Nowitzki was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.

January 5, 2022: Mavericks Retired Number 41 and Announced Statue

On January 5, 2022, Nowitzki's number 41 was retired by the Mavericks, and Mark Cuban unveiled the design for a statue of Nowitzki to be installed outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The statue was unveiled on Christmas Day later that year.

September 2022: Number Retirement

In September 2022, Dirk Nowitzki became the first German men's player to have his number retired, marking a significant honor in his career.

September 2022: Jersey Retirement by the German Basketball Federation

In September 2022, the German Basketball Federation (DBB) honored Nowitzki with a jersey (number 14) retirement ahead of EuroBasket 2022. The ceremony was held on September 2, immediately before Germany's EuroBasket opening game against France in Cologne, Germany. DBB also announced that a replica of Nowitzki's national team jersey would hang from the arena rafters at all future Germany men's home games.

2022: Ranked as the 21st Greatest Player in NBA History

In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Nowitzki as the 21st greatest player in NBA history.

October 12, 2023: Unveiling of Dirk Nowitzki Statue in Frankfurt

On October 12, 2023, a Dirk Nowitzki statue was unveiled in Frankfurt, Germany, in recognition of Nowitzki's long-term advertising activities by the CEO of ING Germany in the presence of Nowitzki. The statue, made by the sculptor Andreas Artur Hoferick of bronze, shows Nowitzki sitting on a wooden bench.