Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki (41). AP FILE PHOTO
DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki is now the highest-scoring NBA player born outside the United States.
The Dallas star passed Hakeem Olajuwon for ninth place on the all-time scoring list in Tuesday night’s game against Sacramento.
The German hit a jump shot just inside the 3-point line to get to 26,947 points, one ahead of the Nigerian-born former star of the Houston Rockets. Olajuwon, who spent 17 years in Houston, retired in 2002 after one season with Toronto.
Elvin Hayes is the next on the list at No. 8 with 27,313 points.
The 36-year-old Nowitzki, in his 17th season with the Mavericks, is second among active players behind Kobe Bryant, who is fourth all-time.
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