Dennis Schröder: Finally something to celebrate at the opening

Dennis Schröder actually wanted to go to the Olympics in 2021. After a good season with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside superstar LeBron James, the Braunschweig native had a clear plan: First, sign a high-paying new contract with an NBA team. Then take part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo with the German national basketball team.

But things turned out differently. After the Lakers reportedly offered him $80 million over four years, the contract extension fell through. There were no further offers. Ultimately, the development player signed a one-year contract with the Boston Celtics for “only” six million dollars and had to put up with a lot of ridicule for it. In addition, the German Basketball Association (DBB) could not find any insurance that would protect Schröder against a possible loss in market value if he were injured at the Olympics. In addition to the millions, he also ended up missing the Olympics.

Critics see themselves confirmed

For his critics, the summer three years ago was further evidence of the difficult character of the best German basketball player since Dirk Nowitzki. Too stubborn, too arrogant and self-centered to be really successful were the accusations that had dogged the Lower Saxony player since his time as a youth player in Braunschweig. Because of the multimillionaire’s (estimated career earnings: $90 million) penchant for jewelry, fashion and fancy cars, which he also likes to share on social media, he was repeatedly accused of showing off.

What is often forgotten is the difficult path to success that the basketball player had to take. According to his own statement, he experienced racism almost every day in kindergarten and school in Braunschweig. When he was 15, his German father suddenly died of a heart attack. The mother from Gambia then looked after him and his four siblings alone. At the age of 18, he signed his first million-dollar contract with the Atlanta Hawks in the USA, far away from his hometown of Lower Saxony, where he absolutely wants to return after his NBA career. But in order for this steep career to be recognized, sporting success was ultimately required. What has happened since the summer of 2021 therefore seems like the stuff of a Hollywood film.

After a rather mixed NBA season, Schröder returned to the national team in 2022 to prepare for the European Championships. This was followed by the first German medal in 17 years. National coach Gordon Herbert made the development player the head of the German team, which ultimately won bronze against Poland. Last September, the German basketball players were sensationally crowned world champions, led by Schröder as captain, who was subsequently voted the best player of the tournament.

World champions are beyond any doubt

The great self-confidence and direct manner were suddenly interpreted as leadership strengths with which Schröder pushed the German team to the World Cup title and thus to qualification for the Olympics. A dispute in the run-up to the World Cup with NBA colleague Maxi Kleber, which led to Kleber canceling his participation in the World Cup, also no longer played a role. In the weeks after the surprising World Cup title, German basketball was riding a wave of euphoria – with Schröder as the face of success.

It almost seems natural that the now 30-year-old will now be able to carry the German flag together with judoka Anna-Maria Wagner at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris on Friday evening. “If not now, then when?” asked Schröder after the World Cup title, referring to his chance to be the first black athlete to carry the German flag at the Olympics.

For the NBA star, his role as a flag bearer is also a statement for all people in Germany whose parents come from another country. The fact that he, as a black man with a mother from Gambia, was allowed to carry the flag was a strong signal given the xenophobia and racist slogans on the German streets and on the Internet, said Schröder in an interview with “Spiegel” after his election. Nevertheless, he wanted to carry the flag not only as a symbol against racism, but also as an award for the achievements of German basketball players.

Because that’s what it’s all about. National coach Herbert’s team can make history again at the games in Paris. No German basketball team has ever finished higher than 7th place at the Olympic Games. As current world champions, Schröder and his teammates are even aiming for a medal this time. Because if anyone knows how much every good story in sport ultimately depends on success, it is the current German standard bearer.