Dirk Nowitzki Praises Germany’s New Basketball Generation Ahead of FIBA Hall of Fame Induction

Dirk Nowitzki stood amid the quiet halls of the Mavericks’ practice facility in Dallas last week, reflecting on a journey that began in Würzburg and led to NBA immortality. Now, as Germany basks in the glow of back-to-back international basketball triumphs, the 47-year-old legend finds himself torn between celebration and a quiet longing.

“I never thought we’d notice the day Germany would be world champions — let alone European champions too,” Nowitzki told German outlet Stern in a recent interview, his voice carrying the weight of disbelief turned to awe. “It’s absolute madness. The deepest, most talented generation we’ve ever had.”

The sentiment comes just days before Nowitzki’s formal induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame in Berlin, a ceremony scheduled for Tuesday at the city’s iconic Verti Music Hall. The honor caps a career that redefined what was possible for European players in the NBA and, indirectly, helped lay the foundation for today’s German golden generation.

Germany’s ascent to the pinnacle of international basketball began in earnest at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, and Moritz Wagner led a deep, versatile squad to a historic victory over Serbia in the final. The triumph — Germany’s first-ever World Cup title — was followed by a EuroBasket 2025 crown, making the team only the third in history to hold both titles concurrently.

For Nowitzki, whose own national team career peaked with a bronze medal at the 2002 World Cup and silver at EuroBasket 2005, the contrast is stark. “Back then, we were happy to qualify for a major tournament,” he said. “Now? These guys expect to win every game they play. That’s the difference a generation makes.”

He speaks not just as an observer, but as a architect. Nowitzki’s 15-year tenure with the German national team — spanning five Olympics, four World Cups, and seven EuroBaskets — ended in 2015 after a loss to France in the EuroBasket quarterfinals. Though he never captured a major medal with the senior squad, his influence permeated the youth system.

“I hope I helped display young players that they could dream big,” Nowitzki said in a 2023 interview with the NBA’s official website. “That if a kid from Würzburg could make it in the NBA and win a championship, then maybe they could too.”

That message clearly resonated. Franz Wagner, now a rising star with the Orlando Magic, has cited Nowitzki as his childhood idol. Schröder, the 2023 World Cup MVP, often speaks of watching Nowitzki’s fadeaway jumpers as a teenager in Braunschweig. Even Moritz Wagner, Franz’s older brother and a key role player on the championship squads, credits Nowitzki’s professionalism for shaping his approach to the game.

The Nowitzki effect extends beyond inspiration. His success paved the way for greater NBA investment in German talent. Before 2011, only four German-born players had ever appeared in an NBA game. Since Nowitzki’s championship season with the Dallas Mavericks, that number has grown to over 20, with multiple Germans currently on NBA rosters — including the Wagner brothers, Schröder, Isaac Bonga, and Andreas Obst.

Yet, even as he celebrates their achievements, Nowitzki admits to a flicker of regret. “If I could turn back time, I’d love to suit up one more time — just for a game — with Dennis and Franz,” he said, smiling. “Imagine playing in my prime alongside these guys. That’d be special.”

The comment underscores a rare bittersweetness in his legacy: a man who helped elevate German basketball to global relevance, yet whose international career ended just before the sport’s greatest breakthrough in his homeland.

Nowitzki’s individual accomplishments, meanwhile, remain unmatched among German athletes. A 14-time NBA All-Star, 2011 NBA champion and Finals MVP, and the sixth-leading scorer in league history, he is widely regarded as the greatest European player ever to grace the NBA. His jersey No. 41 hangs in the rafters of the American Airlines Center, and a statue of him in mid-fadeaway stands outside the venue.

His FIBA Hall of Fame induction places him alongside legends like Dražen Petrović, Arvydas Sabonis, and Šarūnas Marčiulionis — players who, like Nowitzki, bridged continents and redefined the global game.

The Berlin ceremony will feature speeches from FIBA President Hamane Niang, former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban (via video), and Nowitzki’s longtime teammate Jason Terry. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also expected to attend, underscoring the national significance of the honor.

Tickets for the event sold out within hours, according to FIBA’s official portal, reflecting the enduring popularity of Nowitzki in Germany. A public viewing area has been set up outside the Verti Music Hall for fans unable to secure seats.

Looking ahead, the German national team faces a pivotal summer. With the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers underway and EuroBasket 2027 on the horizon, the core of Schröder, the Wagner brothers, and Daniel Theis aims to defend their titles. Nowitzki, though retired from playing, remains engaged — occasionally attending games, offering counsel to young players, and supporting grassroots initiatives through the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation.

“The future is bright,” he said. “But I’ll always remember where we started. And I’ll always be proud to have played a part in getting us here.”

As the countdown to his Hall of Fame induction continues, one truth remains clear: Dirk Nowitzki didn’t just witness the evolution of German basketball — he helped ignite it.

The next confirmed checkpoint in Nowitzki’s schedule is the FIBA Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Local time in Berlin (UTC+2). Fans can follow live updates via FIBA’s official website and social media channels.

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