The search for Germany’s basketball stars of the future, which started back in June, has now come to an end.

Over the past four months thousands of basketball players across Germany tested their skills as part of the Dirk Nowitzki Basketball Academy (DNBA). The aim of the DNBA was to find five of Germany’s most talented basketball players in a multi-stage screening process.

Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki met with the winners of the DNBA in Germany.
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From June to September 12,000 participants had the chance to show NBA Assistant Coaches and DNBA scouts just what they could do. Following two selection rounds in 10 different German cities the best 48 players were invited to attend the Final Academy.

The Final Academy was held on September 19-22 in Dirk Nowitzki’s hometown of Wuerzburg, Germany. The Dallas Mavericks star took part in the Final Academy, practiced every day alongside the players and advised them on their future career plans.

After four days of skills and drills and pure game excitement it was time to announce the five most talented players: Jermain Raffington (17 years old), Antonis Sivorotka (17 yrs), Lucca Staiger (14 yrs), Bianca Steidle (17 yrs) and Travis Wesley (17 yrs). The winners were congratulated by Dirk Nowitzki who also awarded them their prize.

The top five will travel to the USA at the end of October and will experience an exclusive week in the field of the NBA. Besides the sightseeing program in Dallas and New York they will experience a practice session with NBA assistant coaches in Dallas. Time spent with Dirk Nowitzki and two pre-season games in Dallas and New York will add to their total NBA experience.