Rare Photos of Dirk Nowitzki

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 19, 2013

Rare Photos of Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki initially concentrated on tennis and handball (which his father played for Germany), but because of his height, he eventually turned his focus to basketball.

Dirk Nowitzki and Youth Team

The 13-year-old Nowitzki poses with his youth basketball team.

Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki plays basketball in front of his parent's house in Wurzburg, Germany. He had just finished his second season with local team DJK Wurzburg. After struggling some in his first season, he became a starter in the second year.

Dirk Nowitzki, Don Nelson and Steve Nash

The Mavericks acquired a pair of future MVPs on draft night 1998. They drafted Robert Traylor with the sixth pick and sent him to Milwaukee for Nowitzki (ninth pick) and Pat Garrity (19th pick). They later traded Garrity to Phoenix for Nash. The man behind the moves, coach Don Nelson, is also pictured.

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk poses during a photo shoot in Bonn, Germany in November 1998. Because of the NBA lockout, his rookie season was delayed and shortened, and he returned to his club team, DJK Wurzburg, for 13 games before the labor issues were resolved.

Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki poses for a photo in Dallas a day before his first NBA game. He would play 16 minutes in a loss to Seattle, shooting 0-for-5 from the field and scoring two points on free throws.

Dirk Nowitzki and Mark Cuban

Dallas owner Mark Cuban lassoes Nowitzki in a Texas-themed photo shoot, complete with matching cowboy hats.

Peja Stojakovic and Dirk Nowitzki

An NBA battle continues overseas as Kings forward Peja Stojakovic (Yugoslavia) guards Mavericks forward Nowitzki during the European Basketball Championship in Turkey.

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk poses for another photo.

Dirk Nowitzki and Holger Geschwindner

Nowitzki shows off his height advantage over long-time coach and mentor Holger Geschwindner, who spotted a 15-year-old Dirk at a tournament and helped him refine his game.

Dirk Nowitzki and Ralf Schumacher

Nowitzki chats with BMW driver Ralf Schumacher before the German Formula One Grand Prix. Schumacher finished third in the race.

Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki stands besides his likeness made out of Legos during his visit to Legoland Germany.

Dirk Nowitzki

The basketball star drives in the Wellenflug coaster during his visit to Legoland Germany.

Dirk Nowitzki

The 7-foot righthander throws out the ceremonial first pitch to teammate Steve Nash before a Mariners-Rangers game in 2003.

Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki hangs out shortly before the sixth Goodwill Soccer Match "Game of Hearts" at the Carl Benz Stadium in Mannheim, Germany. The basketball star joined Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and others at the event to benefit the UNESCO foundation, "Education for Kids in Despair."

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk sits in Audi's new Q7 during the presentation of the car to the media at the International Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a special guest at the show.

Dallas Mavericks and Fans

Before a game against the Bucks, Nowitzki signs autographs for fans.

Dirk Nowitzki and Justin Timberlake

Dirk poses with singer Justin Timberlake after a game of HORSE following a Mavericks game against the Nets in March.

Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki

There's a height difference, but former teammates Steve Nash and Nowitzki both earned MVP honors. The Suns point guard won in 2004-05 and 05-06, while Nowitzki took the award in 06-07.

Dirk Nowitzki

Flag bearer Nowitzki leads Germany's athletes into the National Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk displays a fitting hairdo in Germany's Olympic opener against Angola. The Olympic rings didn't help his team, though. Germany won only one game and failed to make it out of pool play.