Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki retires from German national team

Dallas Mavericks center Dirk Nowitzki is retiring from international play and will not be with German national team as it attempts to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Dallas Mavericks center Dirk Nowitzki announced Sunday that he is retiring from international play and will not be with the German national team as it attempts to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, reports Agence France-Presse.

According to AFP, Nowitzki told German newspaper Bild that EuroBasket 2015 was his last international competition. Germany lost to Spain 77–76 on Sept. 10, being eliminated from the tournament in Berlin.  

Germany also recently lost a bid to host one of the Olympic qualifying tournaments. 

• WATCH: Nowitzki tears up after standing ovation at EuroBasket

Nowitzki played in 153 games in his international career, averaging 19.9 points.

The 37-year-old is averaging 17.7 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Mavericks this season. Dallas (25–20) currently sits sixth in the Western Conference standings.