Dirk Nowitzki lands in Manila for Fiba World Cup draw
German former basketball player Dirk Nowitzki arrives prior to the FIBA Eurobasket 2022 quarter-final basketball match between Germany and Greece in Berlin, Germany, on September 13, 2022. (Photo by Oliver Behrendt / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Dirk Nowitzki will grace the Fiba World Cup 2023 draw on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The German basketball icon was seen arriving in the country on Thursday morning ahead of the draw.
Fiba announced on Tuesday that the 2007 NBA MVP from Dallas Mavericks will be part of the draw, which Global Ambassador Luis Scola of Argentina will also attend.
Dirk Nowitzki will be joining on stage to perform the Draw! 🔥 🤩 #FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/obGRG0OWcz
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) April 25, 2023
Sen. Sonny Angara, who is also the chairman of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, posted a photo with Nowitzki, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“Welcome to the Philippines @swish41 ! You’ve got a lot of fans here,” Angara said in his Instagram post.
Nowitzki, who won an NBA title in 2011, had a storied German national team career as the country retired his jersey No.14 after playing from 1997 to 2015.
Sen. Sonny Angara with NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki. –SEN. ANGARA INSTAGRAM
The 44-year-old member of NBA’s 75th anniversary team led the Germans to a bronze medal in 2002 during his MVP year in Indianapolis. He also emerged as Fiba EuroBasket MVP in 2005 after their silver medal finish in Serbia and Montenegro and became an 11-time All-Europeans first team.
Germany is slated in Seed 3 along with Greece, Italy, and Brazil. Teams in Pot 3 could be drawn in Groups A and C both held in Manila or Groups E and G, which will take place in Okinawa Arena in Japan and Indonesia Arena, respectively.
The first two rounds of the World Cup group stage are set from August 25 to September 4 in Manila, Okinawa, and Jakarta.
The Final phase is set at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan from September 5 to 10.
Former Gilas player LA Tenorio and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who are the Fiba World Cup local ambassadors, will also attend the draw.
Saweetie, Billy Crawford, and Sarah Geronimo will also perform at the Big Dome.
