By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder is planning to join the German national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the player said during his season exit interview. Schroder’s Lakers were swept 4-0 by Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals Monday (22/5).
“I want to play for sure. I can’t wait to write another history this summer,” Schroder said. “That would be crazy for Germany, for myself and the Federation. I’m ready for it.”
Schroder mentioned that he’ll vacation with his family and then return to Germany, beginning practices ahead of the World Championship. Germany will face Finland, Australia and co-host Japan in Group E which will be held in Okinawa. The top two teams from each Group advance to the Second round.
“I’m going to take two weeks off to spend time with my family,” Schroder added. “They are sacrificing so much being there for me. My wife is doing everything for me so I can be at my highest level of playing. Didn’t see my kids much so I’m going to take one-two weeks off to spend time with them. Then I’m going to Germany to see my family there and my friends. A couple of weeks later the training camp starts for the World Cup.”
Last year, Schroder led Germany to win the bronze medal in the EuroBasket in front of the home crowd in Berlin. He had 26 points and six assists in the third-place game vs. Poland while averaging 22.1 points, 7.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds in the competition to make the All-Tournament Team. This was the first medal for Germany since the silver in the 2005 EuroBasket.
Schroder, Germany’s leader in the post-Dirk Nowitzki era, debuted with the senior team in a major tournament during the 2015 EuroBasket at 19 years of age. He then played in the 2017 EuroBasket, the 2019 World Cup and several Qualifying Tournaments.
In 2022-23, Schroder posted 12.6 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds in the regular season, along with 7.4 points and 2.9 assists in the playoffs.