Lance Avery Morgan
In An Exclusive, Curated Texan Gets Up Close And Personal With The Champ About Life After Basketball, Raising The Next Generation, And Why Dallas Will Always Be Home
Photography courtesy of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation
Dirk Nowitzki never chased the spotlight. It just kept finding him.
For 21 seasons, the 7-foot German sharpshooter was the steady heartbeat of the Dallas Mavericks, quietly rewriting the rule book for big men and casually sinking one-legged fadeaways that made physics look optional. He wasn’t flashy, he wasn’t loud, and he certainly wasn’t interested in following the well-worn superstar script of jumping from team to team. Instead, Nowitzki gave Dallas his loyalty, his grit, and ultimately, its first NBA championship. These days, the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation and its upcoming benefit, the 7th Annual Tennis Classic on September 13th, are in the news, as our Lance Avery Morgan learns from the basketball pro himself.
His career is already the stuff of legend: over 31,000 points scored, a league MVP, 14 All-Star appearances, and, of course, the 2011 championship that sent Dallas into delirium and sealed his legacy forever. But what truly set Nowitzki apart wasn’t just his revolutionary game, the seven-footer with a feather-soft shooting touch who redefined the role of a power forward; it was the humility and humor that grounded him. He made fans feel like they knew him, whether he was sinking his unstoppable one-legged fadeaway or cracking self-deprecating jokes in postgame interviews. Today, the Hall of Famer is shaping the Mavericks as a special advisor, mentoring the next generation with the same calm wisdom that once rattled opponents. Off the court, Nowitzki’s legacy isn’t confined to the rafters of the American Airlines Center.
Beyond the banners and highlight reels, the Hall of Famer has quietly built something that has been changing lives since 2001, a legacy that is just as enduring. His Dirk Nowitzki Foundation is creating a new kind of highlight reel; one focused on children’s health, well-being, and education. In true Nowitzki fashion, the work is purposeful, heartfelt, and never about him.
Created at the height of his career, the foundation was born from Nowitzki’s belief that success means little if it isn’t shared. Each year, the foundation awards grants to carefully selected nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting the well-being, health, and education of children. The mission is simple, yet powerful: to give kids the tools and opportunities they need to thrive; whether that’s through academic support, safe spaces to play, or access to vital healthcare.
Over the years, the foundation has supported an impressive range of initiatives: from after-school programs that keep kids engaged and inspired, to organizations tackling pediatric illness, to community groups offering mentorship for underserved youth. In true Nowitzki fashion, the focus is less on splashy announcements and more on long-term impact. It’s about sustainability, not headlines.
One of the foundation’s hallmarks is its 7th annual Tennis Classic in Dallas on September 13th, which now also includes pickleball, bringing together athletes, entertainers, and fans for a day of competition and camaraderie; all in the name of raising funds for children’s programs. The event, much like Nowitzki himself, strikes the perfect balance of fun and purpose.
Join the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation for the 7th Annual Tennis Classic, an exhibition-style tournament bringing together celebrities and athletes for a day of fun, philanthropy, and friendly competition. Guests will enjoy high-energy matches, gourmet bites, and an unforgettable atmosphere. This year’s celebrity roster features Steve Nash, Cooper Flagg, and Elvis Andrus. All proceeds are reinvested directly in the North Texas community through funding impactful projects and awarding annual grants to nonprofit organizations that align with the mission of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation.
What sets the foundation apart is that it mirrors the man behind it. It’s consistent, grounded, and deeply committed to lifting up others. Just as Nowitzki transformed the Mavericks with his loyalty and skill, he’s transforming communities with compassion and vision.
For Dirk Nowitzki, his foundation isn’t a post-retirement project; it’s an extension of who he is. His one-legged fadeaway may have changed basketball, but his foundation is proving that his greatest assist might be the one he’s giving to the next generation. Here, he shares more of his worldly insight…
Through the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, you support organizations that focus on children’s health, well-being, and education. Why was this mission so important to you?
Dirk Nowitzki: I think children are our future, the next generation, and just trying to improve their lives and give them opportunities in life that they might not have had without us. We’ve supported some incredible organizations and charities here in North Texas that create opportunities and promote health for our children and the next generation.
What has been the most rewarding project or moment you’ve experienced through the foundation’s work so far?
Dirk Nowitzki: I would say our food drives are always very emotional. You see the need. We’re seeing these people, and they’re so excited, thankful, and grateful; they come out of their cars and hug us. That’s always very special and emotional. It’s really sad, obviously, that many people are in a situation where they lack basic necessities. Still, I’m glad that through our partnership with other foundations, such as the Heroes Foundation and the Mark Cuban Foundation, we can provide some of these basic needs, and that’s always the most emotional time.
In your view, how can athletes use their platform to make a meaningful, lasting impact beyond the game?
Dirk Nowitzki: Athletes can use their platform. I mean, you don’t necessarily have to have your own foundation. I think you can give back in numerous ways. You can volunteer time somewhere, you can just get involved in your neighborhood, or talk to kids, talk to the next generation, help them out, and be a mentor. Every NBA team and NFL team, as well as all the professional teams nowadays, have their own foundation. So, if you don’t want to start your own foundation, consider volunteering there. See what they’re up to, what projects they support, and get involved that way. There are numerous ways you can make an impact. Use your platform and social media to promote causes you believe in. I think there are plenty of ways to get involved.
When you think about the legacy of your foundation decades from now, what do you hope people will remember most?
Dirk Nowitzki: I’m hoping that the legacy of the foundation will continue. Obviously, we are getting our children involved now, early. We want our kids to be involved with our foundation and one day carry on the legacy of the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation. We want our kids to be good neighbors, good citizens. We want them to help out as well, and hopefully, one day, they will take over our foundation and continue it for a long time. I think that will be a legacy that hopefully people will remember. We are part of this community to help, to hopefully improve lives for the better, and we are always here.
