Maverick star's ex jailed and expecting

DALLAS, May 20 (UPI) -- The ex-girlfriend of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki says she is pregnant with his child and they had planned to get married on July 18th.

Cristal Taylor told Wednesday's Dallas Morning News that she blames Nowitzki's longtime German coach for ordering an investigation into her past and turning Nowitzki against her.

Taylor, 37, spoke by telephone from Beaumont, Texas, where she is jailed on an outstanding warrant stemming from a 2006 felony theft charge, the Morning News reported.

The newspaper says she is also wanted in the St. Louis area for a 2001 probation violation.

"I'm actually hoping that Dirk will step forward and help, once he reads this article," Taylor said.

She said Nowitzki knew about her past arrests and had nicknamed her his "little jailbird."