Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki surprised, humbled by Filipinos love for hoops

In his first ever trip to Manila, it didn't take long for Dirk Nowitzki to see how passionate Filipinos are for basketball. And the former Dallas Mavericks star said it both humbled and surprised him to witness this nation's crazy love affair with hoops.

"I knew [the] Philippines love their basketball [but] I didn't know it was this crazy. I mean, everybody loves hoops, loves Mavericks, loves the NBA so it means a lot," Nowitzki said to the members of the press on Saturday before the 2023 FIBA World Cup draw.

"It’s been humbling to see. It’s my first time ever here, but people have followed my career from that far away without ever getting to see a game."

Nowitzki arrived in the country to be one of the guests in the draw, which also featured fellow NBA star Luis Scola of Argentina. The 7-foot-6 Yao Ming, who made history in 2002 by being the first international player to be drafted first overall in the NBA, also attended the event.

Throughout his short stay in the Philippines, Nowitzki also got the chance to visit Tagaytay and paid a courtesy visit to Malacañang.

"It's been an amazing trip, I met so many fans and supporters."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News