Dirk Nowitski Background Part

Dirk Nowitski (No-VIT-sky) is a current NBA star playing with the Dallas Mavericks as an all-purpose forward. He is known for his scoring ability and can play any position in the frontcourt (center, power forward, and small forward), able to score from inside or outside. Many believe him to be the best European player of all time.Born on June 19, 1978, in Würzburg, Germany, the seven-foot tall dominator was born to an athletic family ? a father playing handball and a mother on the German women's national basketball team. He was first brought to the attention of the international media in the spring of 1998, when he led the international junior team at the Hoop Summit to a shocking 33-point victory over the American junior team.

Later that year, the Bucks drafted him (ninth pick overall), though he was immediately traded to the Mavericks. He was only nineteen years old and coming to the United States for the first time, but Dallas fans had high hopes.It was disappointing to see his rookie performance, however, and Dallas fans were more than a little upset.

During the off season, he returned to Germany for further training, and he came back as a starter and rising star, averaging 17.5 points per game. This brought him to the point of being voted second place for the league's Most Improved Player award.

By: Peter Portero