Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will play for Germany at September's Eurobasket tournament after a four-year international retirement. Nowitzki announced his return to the side in a news conference in Frankfurt on Thursday.

Germany will host one of the competition's group stage rounds in Berlin. The opportunity to play in his home country was a major draw for Nowitzki in his return to international play, he said. He retired from the German side after Eurobasket 2011, which took place the off-season after he led the Mavs to an NBA championship.

In 2008, Nowitzki led Germany to an Olympic berth in Beijing.

"I've chosen to be in Berlin," Nowitzki said, according to the EuroBasket website. "I've had the whole month of May and used it to gain some distance and enjoy family time. Of course, I also have consulted the matter with my wife.

"But a EuroBasket in our home country is a huge thing and I look forward to it, I thought it would be a great way to conclude my national team career."

Nowitzki, who will turn 37 this month, is the NBA's seventh all-time leading scorer. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has long been outspoken against NBA players competing in FIBA events due to the added minutes and physical attrition. He softened his stance this time around, according to ESPN.

"I think it's great," Cuban told ESPN.com in a message Thursday. "Games are being played in Germany. It will be a chance for his fans there to see him play."