The iconic No. 41 jersey won’t be the only Dirk Nowitzki number retired for long. Germany announced plans to retire Nowitzki’s No. 14 national team jersey at FIBA EuroBasket 2022.
Nowitzki’s jersey retirement ceremony will take place in Cologne on September 1 when Germany opens the tournament by taking on France.
“I felt honored when the German Basketball Federation presented this idea to me,” Nowitzki told Fiba.com. “That was a nice surprise and I’m excited to see what awaits me in Cologne.
“As an ambassador of the FIBA EuroBasket, I’m looking forward to exciting games with great teams and I hope that the fans in Cologne and Berlin will ensure full arenas and a great atmosphere.”
Dallas retired Nowitzki’s No. 41 jersey on January 5 in an elaborate ceremony headlined by star guests such as NBA commissioner Adam Silver, members of the 2011 championship team and his mentor Holger Geschwinder.
Though the ceremony likely won’t be as flashy as the one in Dallas, it will still be significant. Nowitzki will be the first German player to have his number retired by the national team.
“If anyone deserves it, it’s Dirk,” Igno Weiss, President of the German Basketball Federation said. “He was always ready to play for Germany and has achieved incredible things in 153 international games for the national team.
“It’s great that Dirk also brings his enthusiasm and experience to basketball as Chair of the FIBA Players’ Commission and as the official FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Ambassador. I am pleased that we have found a suitable setting to honor Dirk Nowitzki in this way.”
Reigning EuroBasket winners Slovenia will play in Germany’s group, meaning current Mavs star Luka Doncic will be able to watch his former teammate’s second jersey retirement ceremony following his game against Lithuania in Cologne.
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