The Magic Insider

'Great All-Around Game': NBA Icon Dirk Nowitzki Praises Magic's Franz Wagner

Some kind words from an NBA legend.

Jeremy Brener

Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
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ORLANDO - Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner has been one of the brightest stars at EuroBasket 2022 so far.

Through his first three games, the German star is averaging 19.3 points per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor. His strong play in the first part of the tournament has caught the attention of another German star ... Dallas Mavericks legend and future Hall of Fame inductee Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki spoke to the media about Wagner's ascension and how he's looked so far in the tournament.

“He has a great all-around game," Nowitzki said. "He can shoot, for a big guy he handles P&Rs, he reads situations. He’s a tough competitor. He’s faster and more athletic than he looks.”

That's high praise from one of the league's greatest talents, especially considering the fact that Wagner just turned 21 years old.

When Nowitzki was 21, he also experienced a breakout season for the Mavericks. Nowitzki went from 8.2 points per game in his rookie year to 17.5 in his second season back in 1999-00. 

Wagner is starting off with a higher floor, averaging 15.1 points per game in his rookie season ... prompting questions as to where he can go in his second NBA campaign. If his EuroBasket play is any indicator, Wagner can be a superstar in the NBA.

"I think we're all very excited about his future," Nowitzki said. "Not only German basketball, but fans in Orlando."

Wagner and the German basketball team look to go 4-0 Tuesday afternoon against Luka Doncic and Slovenia. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST. on ESPN+.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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