| Born on June 19, 1979, Dirk Nowitzki is a native of | | | | competition, a right ankle sprain took him out of the |
| Germany and currently plays for the NBA's Dallas | | | | game after only seven minutes of play. This injury led |
| Mavericks. After applying early for entry into the 1998 | | | | to five games being missed. |
| NBA Draft, Nowitzki was selected ninth overall by the | | | | Today, Dirk Nowitzki averages 26.6 points per game, |
| Milwaukee Bucks. He was immediately traded, | | | | stands 7' tall and weighs 245 lbs. He is a forward that |
| however, to the Dallas Mavericks. He struggled during | | | | can often be intimidating to opponents as he not only |
| his early career, as many athletes do, but has since | | | | has the height to earn points, but to rebound with ease. |
| risen to become one of the top players in the league. | | | | Away from the court, Dirk Nowitzki enjoys reading |
| During his NBA rookie season, Dirk Nowitzki averaged | | | | and playing the saxophone. His mother and father, both |
| 8.2 points per game. The following year, during the | | | | skilled in sports, have two children. Dirk's sister, Silke, |
| 1999-2000 season, found Dirk finishing second in the | | | | works for the NBA in International TV. His father, |
| NBA's Most Improved Player voting. That season, he | | | | Joerg, played handball and his mother, Helen, was a |
| played in each of the 82 regular season games and | | | | star player for the German women's national |
| averaged 17.5 points per game, which was more than | | | | basketball team. Just before joining the NBA, Dirk |
| double his average for the previous season. | | | | Nowitzki served a mandatory term with the German |
| By the time the 2000-2001 season rolled around, Dirk | | | | Army from September 1997 through June 1998. |
| Nowitzki became the first player in team history to be | | | | Fans who would like to request a signed photo or |
| selected to the All-NBA team. At that time, he became | | | | simply send Dirk Nowitzki their best wishes are urged |
| the team's leading scorer with an average of 21.8 | | | | to do so in care of his NBA franchise team. If you are |
| points per game. In the 2001-2002 season, Nowitzki's | | | | requesting an autograph, be sure to include a SASE |
| success continued to grow as he averaged 23.4 | | | | (self-addressed stamped envelope) along with your |
| points per game. During a bout of misfortune, Dirk | | | | request. It is recommended that fans not send an item |
| Nowitzki suffered an injury to his left ankle that kept | | | | that they could not afford to lose, such as prized |
| him from participating in six games. This marked the | | | | possessions or limited edition collectibles. There is |
| first time he had ever missed a game due to injuries. | | | | never a guarantee that an athlete will be able to |
| During the 2002-2003 NBA season, Dirk Nowitzki | | | | accommodate every autograph request, which is why |
| scored a team-high average of 25.1 points per game. | | | | the most common items to send include a blank index |
| In addition, he averaged career-high assists and steals. | | | | card, trading card and/or photo. Letters and requests |
| In December 2002, Nowitzki missed two games due | | | | should be mailed to: |
| to yet another ankle injury. This one, however, | | | | Dirk Nowitzki |
| affected the right ankle, which was sprained during a | | | | Dallas Mavericks |
| December 10 game against the Clippers. When the | | | | The Pavilion |
| 2003-2004 season was underway, Dirk Nowitzki was | | | | 2909 Taylor St. |
| averaging 21.8 points per game. During a November | | | | |