Former President George W. Bush has taken up painting. Bush is selling a collection of portraits entitled “Out of Many, One.” The portraits primarily focus on America's immigrants, with Dallas Mavericks legend and future NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki among those featured.

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It should come as little surprise Bush chose to include Dirk Nowitzki among his subjects.

The former Governor of Texas grew up in Midland as a child, and has long been an avid fan of Texas sports teams. Bush even helped lead an investment group in purchasing the Texas Rangers in 1989, and bought an additional ownership stake the following year.

For his part Dirk Nowitzki is arguably one of the greatest athletes in the history of Texas sports.

Dirk Nowitzki spent the entirety of his 21-year career with the Mavericks, making 14 All-Star teams and also leading the Mavs to their first NBA championship in 2011.

Dirk Nowitzki began his career as a highly-touted prospect from Germany, with the Mavs making him the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. He was averaging over 21 points per game by his third year in the league, and made his first All-Star team the following season.

But for all of Dirk's individual brilliance–including an MVP Award in the 2006-07 season–he lacked playoff success. The Mavs lost in the Western Conference finals in 2003, and blew a 2-0 lead against the Miami Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals.

Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks stampeded to 67 wins just one year later, but were ousted by the Golden State Warriors in one of the most famous upsets in league history.

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However, Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs captured that elusive title over the “Big Three” Miami Heat in 2011, cementing his legendary status.

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