Career: Würzburg (Germany-2.Bundesliga, 1996-98), Dallas Mavericks (NBA, 1998-2008). Selected in the first round of the 1998 NBA draft (#9), by the Dallas Mavericks.

Dirk Nowitzki is clearly the leader of the German National. The EuroBasket 2005 MVP and 2007 NBA MVP is so much better than the rest of the German squad that coach Dirk Bauermann's passing system often stutters with players waiting for Nowitzki to create for himself. The seven-foot Dallas Mavericks star, who is desperate to play at the Olympics, has become more of a vocal leader. On the court, there is hardly anything he cannot do. He has continued to develop his game and become nearly unstoppable outside and inside. Now more than ever, though, Nowitzki will need his passing skills as opposing teams focus their energies on stopping the Wunderkind. He will need to find open shots for others for Germany to win.