Raptors guard Dennis Schröder has helped lead the German national team to a perfect 7-0 record at the 2023 World Cup ahead of Sunday’s final against Serbia. Germany’s captain says he hopes he’s helping basketball become more popular in his home country, as Aris Barkas of Eurhoops relays.
“I hope that basketball gets to be little bit more attractive and gets more attention,” Schröder said. “Because I’ve been here 10 years now, and from that point to this point, it’s a huge difference. And I’m glad that I can be a part of it. And try to put Germany, our country, on the map. And that’s the reason why I play a national team. I try to help others, like little guys coming up, same as me, 15 years ago. That they can make a difference take care of their families and play on big stages.”
The 30-year-old, who has averaged 17.9 points, 6.7 assists and 1.4 steals thus far at the tournament (27.9 minutes), says doesn’t feel nervous ahead of the gold medal game, according to Barkas.
“I mean, when you play basketball, you compete on the highest level anyway,” said Schröder. “Every summer game, it’s the same game for me. Of course, it’s the World Cup, it’s a big honor to play in the finals. It’s something special, but at the end of the day, it’s still a game.”
Here’s more on tomorrow’s final:
- Magic big man Moritz Wagner says Germany’s upset over Team USA in the semifinal was a major milestone for the country, writes Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops. “Germany just made the World Cup final… I think this is the biggest win in German basketball history,” said Wagner, who finished with 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting in 13 minutes in the victory.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic has been Serbia’s best player at the World Cup, and he says he’s thrilled to have secured another medal for the national team, which can finish no worse than second place (silver). “I’m really happy and grateful, and also happy for this team,” the Hawks swingman said, per George Efkarpides of Eurhoops. “I know how much effort we put in since day one; the coach was really hard on us, it was tough for me too. Being out of the national team for a couple of years, I forgot how it is. That struggle. In the NBA you have a guy to bring you towels, this and that, here you kind of have to do everything by yourself. We went through all this and made it to the finals.” Asked about Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, who chose to rest this summer after winning the NBA title, Bogdanovic said the Serbian star “texts us after every game.”
- Serbian head coach Svetislav Pesic led Germany to its lone EuroBasket gold medal in 1993. According to Barkas of Eurhoops, Pesic says he has fond memories of his time with the German Basketball Federation and respects the current group. “Both teams deserved to be in the final,” Pevic said. “Both teams demonstrated team basketball. I have, of course, and not only me but everybody, big respect for the German team. The German team is one team whose most important quality is continuity. They have played together for five years. This is a generational team and they played together excellently. They demonstrated one more time here in Manila.”
Embarrassing …….
Hope this doesn’t convince people Schroder should have a a profound role in Toronto…Still dont like that signing for them at all
Again, nothing against him. He makes sense with certain types of pieces around him, and again demonstrates why we need more teams in the NBA, but I dont see the fit on that Toronto roster
You hope his quite solid play is a bad thing for the Raptors and his prospects with the team on a cheap contract? Right
I’m saying I hope they dont put out bad rotations and fall short of where they should be again, b/c someone did well in a different environment then the one he will be in on their team
Scottie Barnes, Trent, OG, Siakam, Boucher should be the starters
He’s also expected to compliment Scottie as he grows into a point forward primary role. Scotty isn’t ready to start at the 1 yet but ideally by the end of this year he’ll have progressed enough and learned from Shroeder who by all accounts is a consummate professional. My guess is they’re expecting Shroeder to start to begin the season but move to 6th man role if Scotty can handle it. Maybe it’s a reach and maybe not, time will tell.
Scottie should have been at the 1 more his first 2 years…He is pretty much a 4/1/5
They also had Banton, who they got rid of to keep Thaddeus Young as the 7000th 4 on the roster
Scottie has had plenty of time at the 1 and he looked bad at times. His handle was nowhere near tight enough. If he can improve handles and ball skills in general then it could really work.
Scottie had no shot with FVV chucking up as many shots as he was trying to boost those stats for free agency. IMHO fvv was a detriment to Scotty last season. Toss last year out. If OG or Siakam try to do the same thing they’ll be traded, mark my words. Siakam isn’t that kind of guy imo but OG has already been a distraction off the court at least if you believe some of the rumors about the terrible locket room environment last year with all above mentioned guys.
I’m assuming you’re a Raptors fan? Very interesting to see people eventually agreed with me on FVV. There werent many the last few years
You know what could have given OG the opportunity to get expanded chances offensively? Probably not having so many guys that needed the ball in their hands playing together all the time…
If you’re putting no spacing on the floor around him at the same time, then I dont expect it to work, obviously…the rotation decisions have been bad the last couple of years, which is weird b/c Nurse was incredible at it his first couple of years
To be fair, Otto Porter was hurt, they buried Boucher for some reason, and they refused to use Hernangomez, and they had FVV needing the ball in his hands, where they should have used him differently, even as a primary option off the bench (I honestly wouldnt have ever signed him a few years ago, but that argument is long over, and was made more than enough times)
For this year, Barnes, Trent, OG, Siakam, Boucher
Otto Porter, Poeltl, McDaniels/Precious/Wilson, Dick/Temple, Precious/Thad Young/Wilson, Flynn/Schroder
They dont have the depth they had the last 2 years, but still can do a lot of different things, depending on matchup
Always thought Schroeder was a solid rotation guy. He can start or come off the bench. Simply put. He may not be an all star. But the guy can play, plays both ways.
28 pts to lead Germany to its first WC championship. Well done
link to vavel.com