Rare Photos of Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki initially concentrated on tennis and handball (which his father played for Germany), but because of his height, he eventually turned his focus to basketball.

The 13-year-old Nowitzki poses with his youth basketball team.

Nowitzki plays basketball in front of his parent's house in Wurzburg, Germany. He had just finished his second season with local team DJK Wurzburg. After struggling some in his first season, he became a starter in the second year.

The Mavericks acquired a pair of future MVPs on draft night 1998. They drafted Robert Traylor with the sixth pick and sent him to Milwaukee for Nowitzki (ninth pick) and Pat Garrity (19th pick). They later traded Garrity to Phoenix for Nash. The man behind the moves, coach Don Nelson, is also pictured.

Dirk poses during a photo shoot in Bonn, Germany in November 1998. Because of the NBA lockout, his rookie season was delayed and shortened, and he returned to his club team, DJK Wurzburg, for 13 games before the labor issues were resolved.

Nowitzki poses for a photo in Dallas a day before his first NBA game. He would play 16 minutes in a loss to Seattle, shooting 0-for-5 from the field and scoring two points on free throws.

Dallas owner Mark Cuban lassoes Nowitzki in a Texas-themed photo shoot, complete with matching cowboy hats.

An NBA battle continues overseas as Kings forward Peja Stojakovic (Yugoslavia) guards Mavericks forward Nowitzki during the European Basketball Championship in Turkey.

Dirk poses for another photo.

Nowitzki shows off his height advantage over long-time coach and mentor Holger Geschwindner, who spotted a 15-year-old Dirk at a tournament and helped him refine his game.

Nowitzki chats with BMW driver Ralf Schumacher before the German Formula One Grand Prix. Schumacher finished third in the race.

Nowitzki stands besides his likeness made out of Legos during his visit to Legoland Germany.

The basketball star drives in the Wellenflug coaster during his visit to Legoland Germany.

The 7-foot righthander throws out the ceremonial first pitch to teammate Steve Nash before a Mariners-Rangers game in 2003.

Nowitzki hangs out shortly before the sixth Goodwill Soccer Match "Game of Hearts" at the Carl Benz Stadium in Mannheim, Germany. The basketball star joined Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and others at the event to benefit the UNESCO foundation, "Education for Kids in Despair."

Dirk sits in Audi's new Q7 during the presentation of the car to the media at the International Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a special guest at the show.

Before a game against the Bucks, Nowitzki signs autographs for fans.

Dirk poses with singer Justin Timberlake after a game of HORSE following a Mavericks game against the Nets in March.

There's a height difference, but former teammates Steve Nash and Nowitzki both earned MVP honors. The Suns point guard won in 2004-05 and 05-06, while Nowitzki took the award in 06-07.

Flag bearer Nowitzki leads Germany's athletes into the National Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.

Dirk displays a fitting hairdo in Germany's Olympic opener against Angola. The Olympic rings didn't help his team, though. Germany won only one game and failed to make it out of pool play.

Nowitzki mimics the pose of his wax figure as it's unveiled at Madam Tussauds in Berlin.

Nowitzki attends the Audi centennial celebration at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt.

Nowitzki and Rodgers pose backstage at the ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Nowitzki reacts live via satellite from the United States after being awarded 'Athlete of the Year 2011' at the Kurhaus Baden-Baden in Germany.