Germany might have seen the last of Dirk Nowitzki in an international game and it was a truly tear-jerking farewell.
The Dallas Mavericks star, who suit up for the German National Basketball team after four years of absence, became emotional after being eliminated in EuroBasket 2015, falling to the Pau Gasol-led Spain team in a tight 77-76 game in Berlin, Germany.
According to Mavs Moneyball, Nowitzki first gave an interview in German after the game before facing the crowd and waving and bowing to them. The fans and supporters, meanwhile, made sure to pay tribute to the most iconic player from their country, giving the star a standing ovation with others waving a sign that reads "Danke Dirk" or "Thank You Dirk."
This gesture touched Nowtzki who was in tears in front of the home crowd.
The German star then took it to twitter to thank everyone who supported him.
"Thanks for the great support this week & for the great departure. A moment that I'll never forget. Was always an honor," Nowitzki's tweet translated.
Throughout the tournament, Nowitzki has been the second leading scorer for the team behind fellow NBA player Dennis Schroeder. However, as cited by Yahoo Sports, the 37-year-old Power Forward has already hit the record books in the tournament, being hailed as the second all-time leading scorer in EuroBasket history with 1042 points in 49 games, behind Tony Parker with 1058.
Nonetheless, as reported by Dimitris Kontos in EuroBasket 2015, this might not be the final game of Dirk's international career, citing that the 7'0 German is still open to play for his country if it will be given the opportunity to get a "wild card to host a pre-Olympic tournament."
"I had said it before (EuroBasket 2015), if the tournament was anywhere else, I would not be there. But since it was here in Germany and the fans have supported me for so long, my entire career, this was sort of a 'thank you' to them, for me to come and play one more time," Nowitzki said in Mavs.com
"If there is a slight chance to play next summer, if there is a pre-Olympic tournament here in Germany, then that's for sure my last time playing," Nowitzki added.
Nowitzki has donned the national colors of Germany since 1997 and has led the team in a bronze finish in 2002 FIBA World Championships and silver in EuroBasket 2005 where he won both the MVP honors. He also led the team in its fifth Olympic appearance in 2008 before taking a break in international games in 2011.
Nowitzki has two years more remaining in his contract with the Mavericks where he stayed his entire 17 seasons. He is currently NBA's seventh all-time leading scorer.
Here are some screenshots from the emotional encounter:
Watch the full video here: