Eyes went wide and smiles were plentiful as Dirk Nowitzki entered the Plano Campus competition gym.
The visit on Aug. 8 by the 13-time NBA All-Star, League MVP and future Hall of Famer was a highlight for the hundred or so kids attending this year’s Mavs Hoop Camp at Collin College. Nowitzki had dropped in on the camp a few times in the past, but this year he was trailed by cameras from several local news stations, Dallas sports blogs and other media outlets, eager to get footage of the big man in what is widely expected to be his final year in the NBA.
Prior to entering the gym, Nowitzki had held a press conference in THE ARTS gallery down the hall. There were more questions waiting for him in the gym and Nowitzki answered them with a smile.
Has he ever been dunked on? When did he start dunking the ball? Does he plan to break Wilt Chamberlain’s record? The last question he played off as if the camper was asking about Chamberlain’s 100-point game, not overtaking Wilt the Stilt’s No. 5 spot on the all-time scoring list.
Nowitzki answered camper questions for about 20 minutes, holding up a couple of fingers and saying, “two more questions” about four times. He played a few games of “knockout” with the children before posing for a group photo and individually high-fiving each camper.
Nowitzki also autographed two Collin College baseball caps, which were auctioned off with other Mavericks memorabilia at the All College Day silent auction.
This is the 25th year of Mavs Hoop Camp and Collin College has served as the site for the entire time, having been one of the first four locations that the Mavericks chose to host the camps.
Ben Hunt, director of youth basketball for the Mavs, said he appreciates the quality of the facilities, but also the college’s support, especially that of Collin College Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Sigona.
“Obviously, for us to still be there running our Hoop Camp, getting the likes of Dirk to come out and visit with a hundred-plus campers is certainly something we are proud of,” Hunt said.
