HAGEN (EuroBasket 2011) – Dirk Nowitzki He has been ranked as one of the best players in the world after leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA title.
Now, the German basketball icon will try to help his country earn a spot in the Olympics again.
The German Basketball Federation announced this Friday that both he and his NBA counterpart, the center Chris Kaman They will play for their national team in the EuroBasket in Lithuania.
If Nowitzki and company manage to reach the Final, they would secure a place in the London Games.
If they place between third and sixth place, Dirk Bauermann’s team will be invited to the FIBA World Pre-Olympic Tournament.
Nowitzki has been on everyone’s lips since he led the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA title, a championship that was confirmed on June 122 when the Mavs defeated Miami and closed the final series 4-2.
“The break has been very short, but I want to help the German team be successful at EuroBasket,” Nowitzki told basketball-bund.de.
“I will try everything to be in physical shape and I am waiting for the moment to meet my teammates.”
Both Nowitzki and Kaman are expected to join the team at the BEKO Super Cup (August 19-21) in Bamberg.
“Of course this is good news for all of us and for me as a coach,” said German coach Bauermann. This decision gives us a great moment ahead of the training sessions that begin tomorrow. Dirk and Chris’ decision is very good for German basketball. “It shows how important the national team is and playing alongside a lot of the young players, it’s good for both sides.”
The president of the German Basketball Federation, Ingo Weiss is delighted with the announcement.
“I have felt very relieved and more than ever I look forward to the warm-up games in Germany and the EuroBasket in Lithuania,” Weiss confessed.
The DBB has announced that they will attempt to finalize the required formalities with FIBA Europe, as well as clarify all issues regarding insurance.
Lithuania’s EuroBasket starts on August 31.
FIBA
