Dirk Nowitzki

In 2011, Dirk began dating Swedish Jessica Olsson, a Dallas art gallery manager.

At the championship parade following the 2011 NBA Finals, Dirk led the Dallas fans to a rendition of "We Are The Champions" by Queen.

In May of 2002, Dirk appeared on the front of Sports Illustrated.

Dirk's sister, Silke, works for NBA TV.

Dirk's personal shooting coach is Holger Geschwindner.

Dirk enjoys playing the saxophone in his spare time.

Dirk is an ambidextrous shooter.

Dirk says he loves to read.

From experience, Dirk believes Shaquille O'Neal was the toughest man in the NBA to guard.

Dirk's favorite professional basketball player is Tracy McGrady.

Dirk's childhood hero was Scottie Pippen.

If anybody, Dirk says he would want to meet John McEnroe the most.

Dirk says his favorite book is Lance Armstrong's autobiography.

Dirk says he spends about four hours a day playing basketball.

Dirk's favorite vacation spot is the Caribbean.

Dirk says his only notable hobbies are the sports he plays.

Friendsis Dirk's favorite television sitcom.

Dirk's favorite movie is Liar Liar.

Dirk says his favorite food is any kind of Italian.

Dirk led his Dallas Mavericks to another NBA Finals appearance in 2011. However, he banned his family from attending the event so he could focus properly.

Dirk says he'd like to teach kids after retiring from professional basketball.

In 2006, Dirk Nowitzki led his Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. They eventually lost to the Miami Heat, though, 4-2 in six games.

In 2005, Dirk Nowitzki was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament once again, as Germany was awarded with the silver medal (second place) in the tourney.

In the World Championships (basketball) of 2002, Dirk Nowitzki was the leading scorer of all teams, leading Germany to a bronze medal. Because of this, he was selected Most Valuable Player for the World Championships.

Dirk Nowitzki was part of the Western All-Stars for the first time at age 23 in 2002.

Because of a lockdown in the NBA during the 1998-1999 season, Dirk Nowitzki only played 18 games and averaged only 8.2 points per game.

In 1998, Dirk Nowitzki went straight from Europe (Germany) to the NBA, something no other player had ever done before.

Dirk first began playing basketball in 1991 at the age of thirteen when he starts playing for his school's team. Previously, Dirk had played handball and tennis.

Charles Barkley once offered him "any amount of money he wanted," if he played for Auburn, where he graduated.

He was named "European Basketball Player of the Year" by Gazzetta dello Sport for five years in a row: 2002-2006.

In the early part of his career, he was sometimes nicknamed, Irk, because of his lackluster performance on defense, meaning he had no "D" or defense.

He was the runner up in the 2005 "Germany's Athlete of the Year" Award.

He was the MVP of the 2002 FIBA World Championships.

He regards his mentor to be Holger Geschwinder, a trainer that discovered his talents in Germany.

In 2000, Dirk was voted second for the NBA's "Most Improved Player."

He hums David Hasselhoff's song, "Looking for Freedom," to relax before taking free throws.

He was named the "FIBA European Basketball Player of the Year" in 2005.

In 1998, he was named by German magazine, Basket, as player of the year.

On October 2001, he founded the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, an organization that helps to provide education and health to children around the world.

He weighs 245 pounds(111.1 kg).

He likes to play the saxophone and read in his spare time.

He served in the German army from September 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998.

His mother, Helen, was a member of the German's women's basketball team.

He was a starter in the 2006-2007 All-Star Game. He became the first European player to earn this position.

Dirk was named a 2005 All-NBA First Team member. He became the first Maverick's player to do so.

Before he joined the NBA, he had always worn number 14. He changed it because, when he came to play for the Mavericks, 14 was already taken by player, Robert Pack. He decided to just switch the digits and has worn number 41 ever since.

His idol is retired Chicago Bulls forward, Scottie Pippen.

He is the only player in history to have over 150 3-point field goals and 100 blocks in a season.

We was drafted 9th by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA Draft. However, he never played for them because he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks shortly after.

His closest friend is former teammate, Steve Nash, who now plays for the Phoenix Suns.

He considered going to Villanova University, but this plan was cancelled because he had to do military service.

His father, Jorg, a handball player, wanted him to play handball as well.

He was the 2005 EuroBasket MVP.

He was chosen as the 2007 NBA MVP. He was the first European to ever receive the award.

He made a cameo appearance in the movie, "Like Mike."

Dirk's jersey number is #41.

Dirk plays in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks.

Dirk ranked #5 in NBA points in 2005-06 with 2151 points.

Dirk ranked #4 in NBA free throw percentage in 2005-06 with 90.1%.

Dirk ranked #7 in NBA scoring in 2005-06 with 26.6 ppg.

Dirk won the 2006 Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout Contest. He was the tallest player ever to win the event.

Dirk was named a 2003 All-NBA Second Team.

Dirk ranked sixth in NBA scoring in 2002-03 with 25.1 ppg.

Dirk is currently a 6-time NBA All-Star(2002-2007).

Dirk was named a 2002 All-NBA Second Team.

Dirk was named a 2001 All-NBA Third Team.

Dirk ranked 15th in the NBA in three point field goals made with 116 in 1999-2000.

Dirk participated in the Schick Rookie Challenge during the 2000 All-Star Weekend.

Dirk finished second in the AT&T Shootout during the 2000 All-Star Weekend.

Dirk averaged 17.5 ppg and 9.9 rpg in 1997-98 in 20 games for DJK Wurzburg of the German Bundesliga.

Dirk played on the 1996 German National Junior Team, German Under-22 National Team, European Junior Select Team and the World Junior Select Team.