Basketball world champion Schröder
“Will not get the same love because I am dark -skinned”
Updated on August 21, 2025 – 12:42 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The Basketball European Championship starts next week. Captain Dennis Schröder wants to go far with Germany – and previously described honest impressions.
Germany will start the European Basketball Championship next Wednesday and has to prove itself at the start against Montenegro. Before the big tournament, captain Dennis Schröder gave an insight into his emotional world – and also honestly reported on his own experiences.
Both Schröder and Dirk Nowitzki wore the German flag at the Olympic Games. Nowitzki 2008 in Beijing, Schröder in Paris last year. Nevertheless, Schröder has the impression that he is not accepted as well as Nowitzki in his home country.
“I was sitting in front of the television at the age of 14 when Dirk Nowitzki wore the flag in Beijing at the 2008 summer games. At that time I thought: How cool, there could be no greater appreciation,” said Schröder in an interview with the “Stern”. However, he explained: “Today I know: It is a great honor, but it will never be like that with Dirk. I won’t get the same love in this country because I am dark -skinned.”
The Germans had certain ideas about how stars should behave. He never fitted in this picture, which sometimes treated himself to expensive watches and luxury cars at a young age. “I made mistakes, I am not perfect. Nevertheless, it is wrong to judge someone you don’t know in more detail,” said Schröder.
Despite these negative experiences, Schröder wants to return to his birthplace in Braunschweig in the NBA after his time. “Braunschweig is my home, I am needed here. That’s why I bought the basketball club there, so we are planning academies, camps and schools for the youth,” said Schröder. “Many professionals stay in the USA after their player career and enjoy their fame. But I belong to Germany.”
But first the European Championship is on and there is a goal: “We will win the title. If I weren’t convinced, I would not play the tournament and would rather spend my time in Braunschweig.”