EXCLUSIVE: Wings' Satou Sabally Speaks on Dirk Nowitzki’s Basketball Legacy
DALLAS — As Dirk Nowitzki is set to enter the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, there is a major reflection on the achievements he made throughout his basketball career. His impact was immense on the Dallas Mavericks, the German basketball federation, and on the game worldwide.
Dallas Wings star Satou Sabally holds a unique perspective on Nowitzki's basketball legacy as a German basketball player who is now a star in the same market that Nowitzki cemented his 21-year legacy with the Mavs.
"I think he has really established basketball culture in Berlin," Sabally tells DallasBasketball.com. "He definitely pushed it forward with his name, image and likeness. Everyone was just on the basketball wave and that was kind of the time I started playing basketball.
"He's a legend," Sabally explained. "I'm super thankful what he's done for the game and the fact that I'm even here in Dallas with him is even more special."
With the Wings, Sabally is in the midst of an All-Star season, averaging 18.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. At 25-years-old, she's established an impressive resume of her own between her play in the WNBA in addition to Fenerbahce in Turkey.
"Hopefully building on it," Sabally said of taking Nowitzki's legacy as inspiration. "I don't have his fadeaway down yet, but I do hope to show leadership skills just like he did. Just being a dominant force and I think it's awesome because we're both different players, but we are from Germany and I really feel like I can just build on what he has built here in Dallas as just a female version of it."
Seeing Nowitzki earn a Hall of Fame nomination serves as a source of inspiration for Sabally as she strives to accomplish the same feat after her playing career ultimately ends.
"If he can make it, I have the chance to make it," Sabally said regarding the impact of watching Nowitzki being a source of inspiration. "I think it's always amazing to see when players from overseas get the acknowledgement from American basketball.
"It means a lot for him to be able to be in the Hall of Fame, he deserved it," Sabally explained. "And that's where I want to be one day."
Nowitzki will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 12, in what will be a televised ceremony on NBA-TV.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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