NBA Royalty jumps to Tasmania

The greatest international player in NBA history, Dirk Nowitzki has paid a visit to JackJumpers practice, reuniting with friend and former coach, Scott Roth.

The NBA Champion, MVP, Finals MVP and 14-time NBA All-Star is in Australia with his family and surprised the playing group at the team’s main practice session on Monday.

“He was gracious and humble enough to come down and spend about an hour with our guys and hang out, it’s not too many times you get a ‘GOAT’ to come in and share his experience and the guys be around him” Head Coach, Scott Roth said.

“They were pretty shocked, to have the 5^th highest scorer in NBA history come in, he’s going to get inducted into the Hall of Fame in August and he comes into our little gym, in our little town, in our little state, it’s really a special moment for all of us.

“It just worked out that he was in market here, I knew he was in Melbourne… but when he text me and said I’m at Hobart Airport, I almost fell out of my chair” Roth said.

German-born Nowitzki played 1522 NBA games over a glittering 21-year career with the Dallas Mavericks.

He won the 2011 NBA Championship and was named Finals MVP in the same year.

“I have known him since the first day he got to Dallas and he was just a great kid, he’s a humble and hungry guy who is at the core of my beliefs in basketball. 

“I was lucky enough to coach him for about three years and have stayed in contact with him all these years” Roth said.

Nowitzki visited JackJumpers practice at Kingborough Sports Centre with his two sons, chatting to the playing group about his career and his longevity at the highest level.

“He just came down for a couple of days and we’ve been able to spend some time. He’s shared some wisdom and knowledge, and some banter with these guys, it’s been great” Roth said.

Nowitzki retired after the 2018-19 season after one of the most decorated and respected careers in the Association’s history.

Roth presented Nowitzki with a JackJumpers Jersey and is holding our a very small slither of hope he could still don it.

“He’s got some serious ankle issues, he’s definitely retired from playing but for one play and one shot, I’d put him in” Roth laughed.