Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) — NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki is in the Philippines!
The former Dallas Mavericks stalwart landed in Manila on Thursday ahead of his expected stint at the FIBA World Cup draw event this weekend.
Clips of Nowitzki’s arrival at the airport circulated online. Senator Sonny Angara also shared a snapshot with the German basketball star.
“Welcome to the Philippines! You’ve got a lot of fans here,” Angara wrote.
Earlier this week, FIBA organizers announced that Nowitzki will grace the draw, which will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
He will join fellow NBA stars Pau Gasol, Luis Scola, and Carmelo Anthony — who also serve as ambassadors of the sports body.
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Nowitzki — who capped off his 21-year NBA career in 2019 — helped steer the Mavericks to their first championship in 2011. He has also clinched the league’s Most Valuable Player plum and was named to the All-Star team for several years.
