<
        >

          Dallas Mavericks Report

          Dirk Nowitzki dines with Pres. Obama, German Chancellor

          U.S. President Barack Obama talks with Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki and president of the Federation of German Industries Ulrich Grillo (center) at the beginning of a dinner in Berlin on Wednesday. Guido Bergmann/Bundesregierung/Getty Images
          • Tim MacMahon, ESPN Staff WriterJun 19, 2013, 04:35 PM ET
            Close
            • Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009
            • Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks
            • Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM
            Follow on X

          Dirk Nowitzki celebrated his 35th birthday in Berlin by dining with President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

          Obama was in Berlin to make a speech at Brandenberg Gate. Afterward, he sat down to dinner with Nowitzki and several German dignitaries.

          It isn’t the first time Nowitzki and Obama have met. They got to know each other a bit during the Mavericks’ trip to the White House after winning the 2011 NBA title.