Dirk Nowitzki will continue to be the face of the Dallas Mavericks. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has reported that Dallas have signed the seven-footer to a three-year contract extension believed to be worth 60million US dollars.

The 28-year-old enjoyed an outstanding season in 2005-06, averaging career highs of 26.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while leading Dallas to their first NBA Finals appearance.

"We are glad to keep Dirk in the Mavericks family for many more years," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said.

"His contribution to our success on and off the court has been immeasurable."

Nowitzki’s heroics have not been limited to the NBA.

He was voted MVP at EuroBasket 2005 after leading Germany to the silver medal, and he also helped the team reach the FIBA World Championship quarter-finals in Japan this summer although he failed to make the all-tournament team.

In the NBA last season, Nowitzki averaged 27.0 points and 11.7 rebounds in 23 play-off contests.

He was unable to lead the Mavs to the NBA title, however, with the team blowing a 2-0 lead to Miami and losing the best-of-seven series 4-2.

A 1998 first-round pick, Nowitzki owns career averages of 22.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 603 career games over eight seasons with the Mavericks.

He had two years left on a six-year, 79million US dollar deal.

A five-time All-Star, Nowitzki is one of four just players named to an All-NBA Team in each of the last six seasons, joining Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan.

The reported on its website that the extension is for three years and believed to be worth almost $60 million.