Nowitzki to receive historic honor

Nowitzki to receive historic honor

41.21.1

Humanitarian and NBA players aren’t always synonymous. That isn’t the case for Dirk Nowitzki, a German-born basketball player who has called Dallas home since he was the ninth overall selection of the 1998 NBA draft.

For 21 years, Nowitzki committed his basketball career to the Dallas Mavericks, the only NBA player ever to play for a single franchise for that many seasons.

Early career Dirk Nowitzki

As a 7-foot-tall forward, Nowitzki’s career was filled with accomplishments. In 2007, he won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. During the 2010 – 2011 season, Nowitzki led the Mavs to the franchise’s first championship. That year, he would also win NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

Off the court, Nowitzki is a dedicated Dallassite who continuously gives back to the community he called home for 2 decades. After he joined the NBA, Nowitzki established the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation. The mission of his foundation is to support the betterment of health and welfare of children and women.

“Since he came to Dallas from Germany more than two decades ago, Dirk has made a tremendous impact on our city” said Mayor Johnson. “His work ethic and his play on the court were legendary, and his philanthropic efforts continue to be sublime.”

Nowitzki led the Mavs to the franchise’s first championship

To honor Nowitzki’s 21-year NBA career and his abundance of contributions to this community, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved to rename Olive Street, between North Field Street and Victory Avenue, to Nowitzki Way in September.

The street naming ceremony will be held at the American Airlines Center at noon on Oct. 30 and is open to the public. The event will also be streamed live on the City of Dallas’ cable channel and Facebook page.

“To have a street named after me is such a huge honor. This city has given me much more than I could have ever imagined, and I will forever be grateful,” said Nowitzki. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Written by, Anastasia Reed

Share this: