Dirk Nowitzki was born on June 19, 1978.
Nowitzki was taken ninth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1998 NBA draft, and immediately traded, along with Pat Garrity, to the Dallas Mavericks for Robert (Tractor) Traylor.
After getting limited run in his rookie season, Nowitzki immediately established himself as one the premier shooting bigs in the league. He has been remarkably consistent, averaging at least 20 points a game for 12 consecutive seasons.
The 12-time All-NBA player (first, second or third team) was the first European to start in the All-Star Game in 2007, the same season he won the MVP. Nowitzki holds the record for the most points all-time by a foreign-born player.
He helped revolutionize the power forward position with a crafty mid-range game, and his ability to stretch the floor.
Not only is Nowitzki one of the best shooting big men of all-time, and is one of six members of the prestigious 50–40–90 club
