|
The towering power forward got his first taste
of success at international level when he won a bronze medal
with Germany at the 2002 World Cup and silver at the 2005
European Championship, taking home Most Valuable Player trophies
from both events.
"This is a huge honour. I always loved playing for the national
team and I always gave my all," Nowitzki, 44, said at the
ceremony ahead of Germany's opening game versus France,
according to a report on FIBA EuroBasket's website.
"Nearly the entire team from 2002 is here. That's important and
I thank them for always accepting me for how I am. I respect
them and all my former team mates. Without them, nothing would
have been possible."
Nowitzki joined the NBA in 1998 from local German club Wurzburg
in his hometown before he was selected as a first-round draft
pick by the Milwaukee Bucks.
He was traded to the Dallas Mavericks straight away and spent a
record 21 seasons there, leading them to their only championship
in 2011 before he retired in 2019 with 14 NBA All-Star
appearances to his name.
Nowitzki, whose No. 41 Dallas jersey was retired in January,
also thanked Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for making the trip to
Germany to attend the ceremony.
"Thanks for coming all this way. It means a lot," said Nowitzki.
"You always supported me in playing every summer. You knew it
was important for me to represent my country and I really
appreciate that."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
